Hyndburn Disabled Persons Forum is holding its next meeting on Thursday, 15th October 2009 at Union Road Community Church, Oswaldtwistle.

The guest speaker is Alan Roberts JP, from Hyndburn Magistrates who will explain the magistrates’ court, its processes and procedures and let local people know how they can get involved.

The Forum will also be planning its 2010 meetings diary, guest speakers, events and activities including ‘Disability Awareness Week’ and ‘Learning Disability Awareness Week’.

The Forum is open to all residents in Hyndburn who have a disability, those that are cared for and/or their families and carers. Anyone is welcome to attend and get involved. Officers from the public sector and voluntary organisations attend to give support to the Forum and its members and to help signpost Forum members to the services they need.

The Forum is particularly interested to know which issues and topics local people would like them to put on the agenda for next year, the sorts of activities and events they would enjoy and their ideas for raising awareness of disability and the Forum during 2010.

Barbara Sharples, Network Manager said, “We are pleased to be using the new church building in Oswaldtwistle for the last meeting of 2009 because there is good parking and there are facilities for people with disabilities inside the building. “This meeting is a chance for the Forum to plan and promote itself and be a strong voice for people with disabilities. Hyndburn has a higher than national average of incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance claimants and the Forum is here to help them and is also a place where they can meet people in similar circumstances.”

To attend a Forum meeting Contact: Janine Bowker 232426, or email info@hyndburncommunitynetwork.org.uk