Q: How do I access practical support and costs towards this?

A: By becoming a member. When you attend fairly regularly and members have got to know you then we can look at your needs and decide together as a group the amount that can be paid to you.

Q: I have a child that is newly diagnosed. How can I get extra support and information with this?

A: This is where the group is specifically helpful! We have great expertise and experience to help you get the extra support and help that you need. We do this by giving you information and support at the group.

Q: How do we access social support?

A: When you become a member then the Secretary will keep your contact details and send out a letter to tell you about our Summer Trip and other social activities. With the Summer trip a coach will collect and return you to your home address. A menu will be sent to you asking for your selections.

The Summer Trip is free except you will need to bring sufficient money to pay for one meal as the other meal is provided for you. You also may need to pay for coffee after your arranged paid-for meal and of course provide a tip!

By becoming a member and attending meetings on a fairly regular basis you could ask the group about help with having a family holiday and financial costs towards this. The group looks at your needs and makes the final decision.

Q: Who can come along?

A: Individuals with Cerebral Palsy and other Physical Disabilities, their carers, family and relatives.

Q: How do I get information and advice?

A: We give mutual support. By speaking to members at the group. If there is any specific information you need then we can especially find this out for you.

Q: What can happen if I have a concern about the services I receive?

A: In the past we have invited Gordon Birtwistle MP for Burnley to a meeting to address some of our concerns. We have also had four managers from Lancashire County Council attend our meetings where people were able to state their concerns. The group can act as a campaigning voice with other organisations such as the WCA Action Group in Manchester by giving their concerns and receiving updated information from them.

Q: Is the group just for families with a member who has Cerebral Palsy?

A: In the past we have been a group that catered just for people with Cerebral Palsy. In more recent years we have accepted people with other physical disabilities who feel that they could benefit from the group.

Q: Can I volunteer?

A: Yes, we need help with collection boxes at local in-store collections at local shopping outlets. Any other ideas for fund-raising will be gratefully received.

We are working in the future to get volunteers to meet with people in their own homes to give any help that is needed.

Q: Are we a self-help group that provide peer support?

A: As funding is pulled from services with today's austere measures its even more important to get mutual support from other groups such as BPRScope. In other areas in the country such as Wiltshire, cerebral palsy service users are creating their own self-help groups giving each other peer support. We also offer peer support to individuals with cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities. You cannot underestimate how important it is to have a strong network of support.