Council leader meets self-help group (From York Press)

Council leader James Alexander meets self-help group

8:42am Wednesday 21st November 2012 in News

YORK’S council leader has been given a first-hand look at the work of a group which is run by and for people with learning disabilities.

Coun James Alexander visited York People First, a local independent self-advocacy group, to learn about how it provides a place for York residents with learning difficulties to speak up about their rights, abilities and strengths and transmit these to the local community.

He met its chair, Becca Cooper, and members Shaun Lavery, Andy Pollin, Kate Hardcastle, Michael Scott, Martin Lee and Sandra Gilpin.

Coun Alexander said: “I was keen to learn more about York People First, their challenges and how we can work together to improve services for people with learning difficulties in York, as well as listening to their inspirational way of working.”

Becca said the group discussed issues such as the living wage, payments for personal assistants and changes to bus services used by those York People First helps.