Barnet Learning Disability Parliament

What is the Barnet Learning Disability Parliament?

Launched in September 2009, the Barnet Learning Disability Parliament is a group of MPs (Members of Parliament) with learning disabilities. They have been chosen to speak up for other people with learning disabilities living in the London Borough of Barnet to make sure people with learning disabilities have a say and are listened to.

The MPs represent the different places that people with learning disabilities go to, and organisations they belong to, so that everyone has an MP near to them.

Why is there a Learning Disability Parliament?

This parliament exists to make sure that all people with a learning disability can have a say about the services they use. We want to help people with learning disabilities have more choice and control in the decisions that affect their lives.

How do I have my say?

• MPs will listen to people's views about things that matter to them, such as health services and employment. People can meet with their MPs one to one, and some MPs will be setting up parliament forums or surgery sessions for people to come along and share their views about different topics
• talk to your MP to find out what they are doing to help people have a say
• MPs will meet as a Parliament every month to talk about the issues that people have spoken to them
• they will then decide what they should do next
• any important issues be taken forward for discussion at the Learning Disability Partnership Board, or separately with other agencies such as voluntary organisations, the police or the council.

The MPs are:

MP Emanuel Ejalu and Deputy MP Joanne Waters for Community Space

• Tel: 020 8359 3200
• Email: maggie.harrowell@yourchoicebarnet.org

MP Nicola Faichney, for Rosa Morrison

• Tel: 020 8359 3500
• Email: richard.buckman@yourchoicebarnet.org

MP Tony O'Reilly, for Harold Court

• Tel: 020 8905 4362
• Email: Shirley.Sanderson@yourchoicebarnet.org

MP Jeremy Howson, for Mencap

• Tel: 020 8349 3842 
• Email: tim.forbes@barnetmencap.org.uk

MP Soroya Hussain and Deputy MP Michael Isaacs, for Flower Lane

• Tel: 020 8359 6430
• Email: lyn.huddleston@yourchoicebarnet.org

MP Lara Goldbert, for Norwood

• Tel: 020 8203 7175
• Tel: 020 8809 8809
• Email: sharon.harrison@norwood.org.uk

MP Harry Anderson, for Self Unlimited

• Tel: 020 8447 4707
• Email: sola.ogunbona@selfunlimited.co.uk

MP Alison Weedon, for Dimensions

• Tel: 020 8343 8897
• Email: trevor.hopkins@dimensions-uk.org

Get involved with the Barnet Learning Disability Parliament

Peoples Choice, which is part of Barnet Centre for Independent Living (BCIL), a self-advocacy organisation which supports the running of the Parliament, is looking for volunteers to help support the Parliament and its MPs.

Volunteers would help with administrative support for the MPs, such as taking notes at meetings, and would also support the MPs to get to Parliament meetings.

If you would like to be involved, please contact Benji Lanzkron, Parliament Officer at Peoples Choice.