The Centre of
Excellence for Sensory Impairment
The aim of the Centre of Excellence for Sensory Impairment
is to improve support for people with sensory loss including developing new
activities and integrated services, working with local and national organisations
in the voluntary, third and statutory sectors around the UK. The Centre of Excellence works to support
people with a range of sensory, physical, psychological, emotional and/or
neurological needs, including those who are mentally ill or who have a learning
disability.
In June 2012 COESI set up a Northern Office in the North
Yorkshire area and we plan to develop the website to provide more information
on local services in this region and other areas.
COESI Consortium
Members
Providing specialist services for people with sensory and
physical disabilities means that local third sector organisations are generally
relatively small in size which makes them vulnerable when funding cuts are
made. A group of such organisations in South West London - Croydon Hearing Resource Centre (CHRC),
Croydon Vision (CV), Croydon Deaf Children’s Society (CDCS) , Going For
Independence (GFI) and Croydon Disability Forum (CDF) started to work in
collaboration with each other. These
five organisations were the founder Members of the national COESI Charity, and
in January 2012 they were joined by Disability Croydon (DS). These
organisations formed the Croydon Consortium
Group and whilst retaining their separate identities and
specialisms, they share their knowledge and expertise to make sure that all
people can access the most appropriate services in a timely way to maximise
their independence, wellbeing and choice, and use their combined voice to
campaign for improvements in all services.
Each organisation can signpost individuals, parents and
carers to the right advice and information and to what is available locally and
nationally.
Members of the Consortium adopted the COESI Charter
agreeing on a set of standards for customer service and they work together to
improve customer pathways and develop local services. Benefits include some
shared resources and staff training, a webpage if they do not have a website,
and mutual support and the avoidance of unnecessary duplication which can save
money.
COESI will also
partner with member organisations to apply for funding to develop new services
where gaps in provision are identified. As COESI develops it will be able to
encourage and support other Consortium network groups to form in other parts of
the country.
Page updated January 2016