This year Sense set up the Sense Users’ Reference Group (SURG), a group of deafblind people who are Sense users, and family members, who meet four times a year. The family members who attend the meeting represent Sense users who are unable to use formal communication to express their views at a meeting. 

SURG is a consultation group which is involved in decision making on a strategic level. They discuss the services that Sense provides and meet with senior managers to talk about what the organisation is doing and what it should be doing in the future. Information from the group is reported to the Group Management Team.

What subjects has the group discussed?

So far, the group has discussed the following topics:

• Difficulties with local authorities
• Supported living, sheltered accommodation and residential services
• Holidays
• Counselling services
• Information about assessments by social services
• Changes to Disability Living Allowance
• Technology

SURG meetings

The first group meeting took place in April 2012 in Peterborough, and was a chance for group members to get to know each other and discuss the purpose of the group.

The second meeting took place in Birmingham. Rob Legge, Sense's Director of Community Services, and Lindsey Myers, the Director of Residential Services, answered questions from group members. Helene Ryles, who is deafblind, also led a training session on communicating using deafblind manual alphabet. 

The third meeting took place in London.  Sense CEO Gill Morbey, Joff McGill, Sense's Director of Information, Advice and Research, and Sue Brown, Head of Public Policy, attended the meeting.  Some members of the group also tried aromatherapy and had a tour of Sense's London offices.

Talking about SURG

SURG members talking about their involvement in the group and the difference it makes to them and to Sense:

More information

For more information about SURG, contact:

• Emma Mold (Projects and Engagement Officer) or telephone her on 0121 415 6748 or textphone 0121 415 2720
• Rosie Tabrizi (Projects and Engagement Officer) or telephone her on 0121 415 6733 or textphone 0121 415 2720

Photos:
Top right: Samantha Browne from Northern Ireland, SURG member
Left: Bob Teague from Wales, Chair of SURG
Bottom right: Robertson and Alison Jamieson, both from England, SURG members