CARERS and disabled people are being enlisted for a "mission" to improve health and social care using communication.

Disability charity Enham Trust is on the lookout for positive people with personal experience with disability to assist bodies like the Care Quality Commission in inspecting Oxfordshire's services.

Peta Wilkinson, chief executive officer of Enham Trust, wants to find volunteers and employees to become 'experts by experience'.

He said: "Experts by experience play a vital role to improve care services for the end users, whilst also providing expert counsel to the CQC inspection teams.

“We are committed to giving individuals the independence, choice and control they deserve. This mission underpins everything we do, and our work with experts by experience will further help to make a positive difference to the people who need it most.

“They will add first-hand experience and expertise to inspection teams and Mental Health Act visits to improve the outcome of social care service inspections."

There are currently around 100 'experts by experience' in the south of England working with the CQC and Enham Trust, including those with physical or learning disabilities and mental health conditions.

For information on how to join the team as an expert, who are be involved with consultations, events and staff training, ring 08451 307 504 or visit enhamtrust.org.uk/exe.