Learning Disability Week 2022
20 Jun 22
This year's aim is to show how people with a learning disability are reconnecting with friends and their communities in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also an opportunity to talk about the issues many people still face following the end of COVID restrictions, like still having to isolate or dealing with poor mental health and anxiety.
Jacky Vincent, Executive Director of Quality and Safety tells us why this week is important to her. Listen to her video below.
Throughout the week our teams across all areas will be attending events to raise awareness and signposting to support people with a learning disability and their carers. They will also be shining a spotlight on specific projects they have been a part of.
Monday 20 June
Join our colleagues at Harlow Town Park (next to the bandstand), Park Lane, Harlow, CM20 2QD from 11am to 2pm.
Tuesday 21 June
Join our colleagues at Colchester Sports Centre, to join the launch of Sports for Confidence new session: Inclusive Cycling, 10am to 11am.
Also join our Hertfordshire Community Learning Disabilities team at an activity session with Hertfordshire Disability Sports Foundation at Stanborough Lakes, Stanborough Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6DF. The session for carers and support workers will start at 2.45pm.
On Tuesday there will also be an opportunity to join a virtual webinar called "Medicines and wellbeing for people with learning disabilities with Dr K. Mukherji and Vasileios Voulgaropoulos".
Time: 2pm to 3pm
Psychotropic medicines affect how the brain works and include medicines for psychosis, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, ADHD, sleep problems, epilepsy. Sometimes they are also given to people because their behaviour is seen as challenging.
Dr Kamalika Mukherji, Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Director and Vasileios Voulgaropoulos, Principal Clinical Pharmacist, from the Learning Disabilities and Forensic strategic business unit are presenting a session focused on medication and the wellbeing of people with learning disabilities to ensure understanding about how we can help people stay safe and well. To join, please email charis.davies@nhs.net for the link.
Wednesday 22 June
Join our colleagues at Colchester Leisure World to join Sports for Confidence with multi skills, music and movement, football and a Q&A session from 12.30pm to 3pm.
Our Hertfordshire Community Learning Disability teams will join Watford Football Club Community Trust providing football based activities at the Meriden Community Centre, Garsmouth Way, Watford, WD25 9ET from 10.30am onwards.
On Wednesday there will also be an opportunity to join a virtual webinar called "Eating healthily with a learning disability".
Time: 1pm to 2.15pm
Emma Smith, Specialist Dietitian, will talk about eating healthily with a learning disability. This talk is aimed at people who have a learning disability, their carers/relatives and health/social care professionals working in this specialist area. The presentation will discuss what is healthy eating and why is it important and will explore why it can sometimes be difficult to eat well when someone has a learning disability and provide tips on making healthy lifestyle choices. To join, please email charis.davies@nhs.net for the link.
Thursday 23 June
Visit our Norfolk Learning Disabilities & Forensic Services who will be at the Library Forum, Millennium Plain, Norwich, NR2 1AW.
Join an activity session with our Hertfordshire Community Learning Disability teams and Hertfordshire Disability Sports Foundation at Stanborough Lakes, Stanborough Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6DF. The session for service users and carers will start at 2.45pm.