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Employment White Paper Launch

On Friday 16th of December 2011, the Wolverhampton People's Parliament held an event in the City Council Chambers to celebrate the work that had been done since they launched their … »

Gina - Chief Executive for the Day

My name is Gina and I took over Jan Britton's job as Chief Executive for the day. I met almost all of the directors who are in charge of all the … »

Spotlight - The Final

Bernie crowned Spotlight champion 2011! After a wonderful evening of fantastic performances, Bernadette (Bernie) Realf was crowned winner of Spotlight 2011. In front of a crowd of 200, including special guests … »

Quality of Health Principles

Changing Our Lives launched an innovative set of Quality of Health Principles for some of the most vulnerable members of the local population on 11th November, with the Chief Executive … »

Open Mic Nights

Changing Our lives hold regular Spotlight Open Mic Nights, where anyone can perform. We have had many people with learning disabilities performing, Directors of Services, Council staff and police officers … »

Who we are

Changing Our Lives supports people with disabilities of all ages to speak up for their rights and take control of their lives.

What we do

Our work includes supporting local people in Sandwell and Wolverhampton to:

Run People's Parliament
Support our Quality of Life team to audit services
Work with young disabled people as part of Changing Young Lives on local campaigns and projects
Support our Training Team to train professionals and their peers with disabilities.

Why we do it

As people with disabilities we are citizens in our own right, we have a right to be heard and have what we say acted upon so our lives change for the better. This is what Changing Our Lives is all about.

Spotlight - The Final

Nov

2011

Written by Carol Clarke

Bernie crowned Spotlight champion 2011!

After a wonderful evening of fantastic performances, Bernadette (Bernie) Realf was crowned winner of Spotlight 2011. In front of a crowd of 200, including special guests the Mayor of Sandwell, local hero 'Blind' Dave Heeley and up and coming sporting sensation Tannika Burgess, Bernie perfomed a beautiful rendition of 'Danny Boy' on harmonica and truly stole the show.

Jessica Bromley, a Wolverhampton People's Parliament MP, was a close second singing 'My Heart Will Go On' from the film Titanic. It was a powerful performance accompanied with screens shots from the film on a large screen.

First prize was sponsored by Captured Music Ltd. They have donated studio time to create a sound and film recording of Bernie's winning song. She will also go on to perform at the Sandwell Mayor's Show in 2012. Bernie and Jessica were also awarded prizes of £100 each by another show sponsor, New Hope Care.

Other highlights of the night included Dudley Din winning 'Battle of the Boroughs'. This part of the competition saw Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton Council employees singing and dancing their hearts out! Fake That from Sandwell performed 'Love Love' with backing dancers from Performing Arts and Wolverhampton were represented by spoof Abba group Madda.

This was a fabulous evening that showcased the often hidden talents of people with learning disabilities who we work with. Thank you to all the Artistic Buddies who supported each of the nine finalists to rehearse. It has been a great success and we have already started to plan Spotlight 2012.