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 partnerships that have stood the test of time over many years and we actively engage with disabled people from many different sectors of society.
Jo Smith founder and former Chair of Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living a disability organisation run by disabled people passed away on the 12th October 2009.
Jo was an inspiration to all who met her. She spent many years at Stoke Mandeville and in the Young People’s Unit at the General Hospital and it was here that she formed her views on how society has the responsibility and the ability to make life easier for disabled people by removing the artificial barriers that prevent individuals from achieving their true potential and aims.
Jo’s vision which she shared with other people was to develop a centre run by disabled people for disabled people. To achieve this she along with an increasing group of individuals campaigned for nearly 10 years to achieve a centre that can truly inspire and empower individuals.
Jo was however determined that the focus must remain on the value of the Social Model of Disability and the true empowerment of individuals.
Jo though remained totally committed to establishing a centre and was extremely proud of what had been achieved. She recently said that the centre has become far more than she had ever envisaged. This she felt was clearly down to the engagement that takes place with other disabled people that shapes and moves forward the work today.
