Learning Disability Week 2022

Sue Collingwood works as Contract Manager, overseeing some of our care and support teams.

This week is Learning Disability Week; this year’s theme is ‘Living life with a learning disability’.

It takes a very special set of skills to work in our learning disability services. Our colleagues need to demonstrate compassion and hold the conviction that everyone is entitled to a voice; to have opportunity, choice and be valued.

Our work across our learning disability support services focuses on some fundamental beliefs:

• People should be treated as individuals: We focus on the person, not the condition.
• People with learning disabilities should have access to the same services as other people and feel included and involved: We ensure that the people we support have access to their local community, whether healthcare and treatment or simply checking out a library book. Building links with local communities supports individuals to feel engaged and build confidence.
• People should have choice and control over how they live their lives: We empower and facilitate learning and growth, in an environment where people feel safe to take positive risks.

At NCHA I’ve had the privilege to watch teams support people to exceed their own expectations; get a job, complete college, go on holiday, buy their own clothes, and go to concerts.

It’s all about giving people the support and empowerment to make their own choices, to live their lives as they choose. And it’s a wonderful thing to see.

Find out more about the learning disability services we provide.