My Involvement Profile – access or support needs

Perhaps there’s an adjustment you need which you often forget to ask for, only to remember when it’s too late.

Maybe you don’t like to ask for what you need, thinking it’s ‘making a fuss’ to ask for larger print or for things to be sent by post rather than email.

But those reasonable adjustments can make a big difference. They can be the difference between feeling involved or feeling excluded, the difference between having your say, or staying silent and letting someone else share their opinions instead.

Shaping Our Lives is a non-profit, user-led group, led by Disabled people and service users. They want to make sure everyone can have their say, especially those from marginalised groups who often face barriers to getting involved.

Involvement activities enable people to influence and improve policies and services that affect their lives, like health or social care. Involvement can mean sharing your experiences and opinions with organisations like Healthwatch.

Shaping Our Lives have developed a free tool – the My Involvement Profile – designed by Disabled people. It’s a simple format to record your access and support needs, as well as your interests, skills and experience of involvement. With it all written down in one place, there’s no risk of forgetting something you need, and it’ll help you to share your access requirements clearly and confidently with organisations who run involvement activities and events, including your local Healthwatch.

All you have to do is email hello@shapingourlives.org.uk to request a free copy and any guidance or support to complete it.