CARERS and residents interested in helping shape the future of learning disability services in Worcestershire are being invited to attend separate events over the next few days.

Two sessions, one in Alvechurch for family carers or those who look after a loved one/friend informally, and another in Bromsgrove for the general public, are part of Worcestershire County Council's BIG Learning Disability Conversation.

The engagement project was launched last week and is seeking the views of service users, carers and residents on the services currently provided and of how they could change to better meet needs against a backdrop of budget pressures.

The event for carers takes place on Friday, November 16 from 10.30am until noon in Alvechurch Library ON Birmingham Road.

In addition, any residents interested in playing a part can attend the session on Tuesday, November 20 from 7pm until 8.30pm at Bromsgrove Methodist Centre on Stratford Road.

These will be the first of a range of sessions planned over the next few months with events being held at venues across Worcestershire.

All the dates and locations are listed on the county council's website along with an online questionnaire which can be completed too – just visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/BIGLDConversation.

Councillor Philip Gretton, Worcestershire County Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "The BIG Learning Disability Conversation is designed to give people the chance to shape relevant service in the future, and also to help us as the county council make decisions which are well informed.

"Despite obvious financial pressures we are as committed as ever to providing a range of learning disability services which are well used and well valued and which contribute to improving the quality of life of the individual and their carers/families and we hope the views which come out of this engagement project will help us achieve this further."

For more information on the BIG Learning Disability Conversation contact Martin Heuter, Worcestershire County Council's Customer Engagement Manager on 01905 766052