Self-advocacy groups supporting people with learning disabilities

Many people with learning disabilities are at risk of being socially isolated, lonely and disconnected in these times of social distancing. An innovative response is being enacted by Sunderland People First – a self-advocacy group in the North East of England. They told iHuman:

“We are working in co-production with Sunderland CCG, Sunderland City Council and Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

The aim of the project is to keep people with a learning disability connected during the COVID-19 crisis, enabling them to stay safe and stay well:

• helping people understand their current circumstances;
• helping people to stay connected and prevent isolation;
• helping people to problem solve;
• supporting people to get help from other services if needed and signpost accordingly;
• ensuring people know what to do and who to contact in an emergency.”

iHuman is excited by this initiative. To find out more – and to get involved – visit Sunderland People First’s Keeping people connected Zoom chats.