Inclusive event support

Summary

Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board commissioned Blue Lozenge to support an inclusive pre-engagement event informing a new strategy for people with learning disabilities and autism. Blue Lozenge established a working group including people with lived experience, alongside partners the Autistic Alliance and Learning Disabilities England, to develop and review fully inclusive communication materials. Established ICB networks were used to reach target audiences and gather information on attendance support needs. The event attracted over 90 in-person attendees, achieving the 50% lived experience target, with a further 53 people contributing through online pre-engagement.

Engaging people with lived experience in shaping healthcare strategy

Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) wanted to hold an inclusive pre-engagement event to support the development of their new strategy for people with learning disabilities and autism. They needed at least 50% of attendees to be people with lived experience, while also involving care professionals. The challenge was ensuring all communication materials were fully inclusive so the main audience could be heard, engage meaningfully with the event and the pre-engagement process.

Approach to create an inclusive and engaging event

Blue Lozenge established a working group including people with learning disabilities and people with autism, alongside partners like the Autistic Alliance and Learning Disabilities England. We developed all communication material and worked with the group to review this. We engaged with Kent and Medway ICB’s established networks to directly reach target audiences and gathered information about support needs for attendance. Working with our group, we developed inclusive communication materials for both professionals and people with lived experience, plus online engagement tools for those unable to attend in person.

Impact

The event exceeded expectations with over 90 people attending in person, achieving exactly 50% attendance from people with learning disabilities and people with autism. An additional 53 people contributed through online pre-engagement, providing comprehensive input for strategy development. This inclusive approach ensured meaningful participation from those most impacted by the strategy.

“Blue Lozenge were very effective at bringing together a working group including people with learning disabilities and autistic people to inform our approach to developing communication materials for our pre-engagement event. This enabled us to effectively reach our core audiences and meant we exceeded our target number of attendees at the event.”

Marie Hackshall, System Programme Lead Kent and Medway – Learning Disability, Autism and ADHD