National Involvement Network

The National Involvement Network (NIN) is a network of people with additional support needs. We have been meeting since 2007 to promote involvement and share ideas about things that matter to us most. We wrote the Charter for Involvement and are now working to promote it across Scotland.

Join the NIN

Apply here to join the new National Involvement Network (NIN) membership!

Our aim is that everyone who has a disability or support needs has their voice heard and is involved in the decisions that affect them.

By joining the NIN as a member you will receive a free membership pack in the post. This will include:

A membership card with your unique member number, and card holder
A full copy of the NIN Charter for Involvement, and Charter leaflet
A NIN badge, keyring, pen and wristband

The first 50 NIN members will also receive a FREE Charter resource book.

NIN members will also:

Get regular information about NIN meetings and issues that might be of interest to you
hear about ways to get involved and have your voice heard, and influence change
meet other people and share your experiences and learn from each other
be able to vote on choosing the next NIN Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
be able to share what matters to you.

If you would like a paper copy of the form just email us on: [email protected] or call: 07498 470 223

If you would like to unsubscribe from the list, please contact – [email protected] or call: 07498 470 223

Watch our step by step guide to signing up online – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUSy0wumg5Y

Join the NIN

Aim

For people who use services to have more choice and control over their lives and to have a bigger say in how the organisations that support us are run. We also talk about getting involved in the wider community.

Aim

MEETINGS

The NIN is a network of over 250 people with support needs which has been meeting since 2007 to promote involvement and share ideas about things that matter to us most. We meet every two months, usually either in Glasgow or Edinburgh to share our experiences of involvement and how the Charter for Involvement can be put into practice.

New members are always welcome at NIN meetings.

Find out more

MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE

Our work is making a big difference to the lives of supported people across Scotland. People from the Scottish Government and other bodies often come to NIN meetings to consult with us.

We are also developing Local Involvement Networks to put the Charter into practice in local areas.

Find out more

WORK WITH US

Please contact:
Call: 0131 663 4444

National Involvement Network : [email protected]

Julie Ritchie (Aberdeenshire): [email protected]

Robin Paris (Dundee): [email protected]

Catherine Dempsey (Edinburgh) : [email protected]

Charter for Involvement – living the lives we want

NIN members Alan Mackenzie, Lynnette Linton, Michael Connolly and Elizabeth Irving gave the final keynote presentation at the World Congress in Glasgow of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD).

The title of their presentation was “Charter for Involvement – living the lives we want”, and was co-presented with Professor Chris Hatton from Lancaster University. Chris led a Question and Answer session on how the NIN and the Charter could connect with the world of research.

The NIN presentation included a few short film clips which you can see below.

"10 years ago I didn’t work, now I have been offered a job. I’m much more independent now. I never used to go out much, now I’m never in."George - National Involvement Network

Hear Our Voice

A short film of the Hear our Voice conference held at the Scottish Youth Theatre. It illustrates what happened during the conference, and includes NIN members saying what the Charter for Involvement means to them and what they thought of the conference.

The conference was planned and led by NIN members and was held to celebrate its 10th anniversary – 10 years of leading change in our services and communities.

Watch the film

Involvement In Action

NIN members describe their experience of using a new Talking Mat to help more people use the Charter for Involvement. They explain how people were able to talk about how well they are getting on in their communities, and whether they are living as independently as they would like.

The theme of the Talking Mat is “taking part” and everyone had a chance to take part in the making of the film as well.

Watch the film

Key resources

Charter for Involvement
Sets out in their own words how supported people want to be included in their services and communities
Charter for Involvement – short version
Charter leaflet
A handy summary of the Charter statements
Getting Out and About: Experiences of Travel
A report sharing the barriers that NIN members face when using transport, and what might improve things. Information gathered June 2023.
No-one Left Behind: Challenges with Support
A report sharing NIN members’ experiences of the challenges they face with support, and what would help. Information gathered in February 2023.
Putting the Charter Into Practice
Describes the views and experiences of Chief Executives and senior managers of 15 organisations that have signed up to the Charter
Putting The Charter Into Practice (short report)

Brian involved in the community
Brian Robertson talks about how he got involved in his community and what he thinks about it.
Charter film
A short animated film that brings the Charter to life for people who have trouble reading.
Hear our Voice
Members of the National Involvement Network (NIN) talk about what NIN means to them
Hear Our Voice Conference
The Hear our Voice Conference was planned and led by NIN members and held to celebrate NIN's 10th anniversary
Independence
4 NIN members explain what being independent means to them.
Involvement in Action
NIN members describe their experience of using a new Talking Mat to help more people use the Charter for Involvement.
Lynnette speaking up
Lynnette explains what it’s like having her voice heard.
Michael involved in an organisation
Michael describes how he helps to make decisions in an organisation and how it makes him feel.
Talking Mats Stories
How Talking Mats and peer advocacy improve the lives of supported people and help them identify changes they want to make.
Talking Mats Stories (clips)
Extracts from a longer NIN film where NIN members talk about using a Talking Mat to help people make changes to their support
The NIN and the future
NIN members talk about their hopes for the future of the Charter and the NIN.
What NIN means
NIN members describe what it means to them to be part of the NIN meetings.

National Involvement Network

Aim