UK
New programme encourages services to include people with learning disabilities in community life
By Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
May 25, 2006 - 1:04:00 PM

New programme encourages services to include people with learning disabilities in community life

The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities is about to begin a new development and research programme, which will look at how people with learning disabilities and high support needs can involve people with learning disabilities who have high support needs into their communities.

The Life in the Community research programme will last for three years and involve four voluntary sector organisations. Supported by their local authorities, each site will explore how employment and community-based day activities may encourage people with learning disabilities who have high support needs to get involved in their communities.

Barbara McIntosh, Co-Director of the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, says: "Many people with learning disabilities who have high support needs have limited options and receive small amounts of support to get involved in their local communities. Through this project and its research, we hope to show positive examples of how people can be included and supported in a range of activities. This is imperative if we are to improve day services and achieve the changes set out in the Valuing People policy agenda."

The four voluntary sector organisations taking part in the research are Grapevine in Coventry and Warwickshire; the WM Morrison Enterprise Trust in Darlington, County Durham; the Brandon Trust in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, and the Tamarisk Trust in Barnet, London.

Life in the Community hopes to produce practical tools to help services and communities involve people with learning disabilities. A final report for service commissioners and practitioners will also be published.

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