History
Like many other great ideas, LCIL came into being through a chance encounter. Four people from Leicester (three of whom were disabled people) met during the lunch break of a seminar dealing with ‘Images of Disability in the Media’. Inevitably, the conversation turned to the poor provision of services for disabled people. By the time the lunch break was over, they had come to the conclusion that disabled people in Leicester needed a centre that was run by disabled people, for disabled people. To this end, Leicestershire Coalition of Disabled People (LCDP) was founded. To summarise briefly what has taken place is virtually impossible, but here goes!
Events and campaigning began in earnest, the need for the centre became clearer and more focussed with an ever increasing number of disabled people involved and they would operate under the framework of the Social Model of Disability demonstrating how disabled people can take control and have an impact on society.
Eight years later, a glimmer of hope appeared through the funding of Leicester City Challenge, but it would take another three years before progress was evident. During this time, we had to prove ourselves and many doubted that disabled people could lead a project of this nature and some were keen to see us fail.
Our founders were determined and our newly appointed staff member was not going to be defeated. We have had without doubt, some key support from key people. Our initial trainer is now better known as Baroness Jane Campbell and continues to champion the changes that affect all disabled people in the work she now undertakes.
Our dream has become a reality. From an initial funding of £16,000, a development that involved four moves to different temporary premises in the first three years, we now have developed a 10,000 sq ft office and training space and we now run a range of projects, training and services.
Our work has taken us into Europe working in partnership with different organisations including small disability projects, Universities and Government agencies. We have developed local partnership that have stood the test of time over many years and we actively engage with disabled people from many different sectors of society.
