As part of Learning Disability Week (16 to 22 June), we are sharing five stories from people involved in our learning disability services. Each one offers a different perspective on this year’s theme, “Do you see me?” - showing how people are contributing to their communities, improving services, and helping others feel seen, heard and included.
Click the headings below to read each case study.
Kevin and Christopher are two valued voluntary members of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Quality Checkers group. This group is made up of four adults with learning disabilities who want to make a positive difference to their city. They visit local services, speak to staff, and write reports recommending how services could be made more accessible and welcoming to people with learning disabilities.
Over the past four years, they have visited and reported on more than 30 organisations, including Talking Change, Community Mental Health teams, the Specialist Dental Service, Central and Southsea Libraries, Southsea and Paulsgrove Community Centres, the Physiotherapy Department and the Natural History Museum.
The group is now highly skilled at identifying areas for improvement. These can include softer lighting, clearer signs, quiet waiting spaces, longer appointments and Easy Read information.
Every service visited has welcomed the feedback. One Community Mental Health team said:
“The visit and report were incredibly valuable and powerful - thank you for coming.”
Podiatry staff at St Mary’s Hospital added:
“It was a fantastic opportunity. It opened our eyes to how we could make the service better for all patients.”
In 2023, the group won the Trust’s Outstanding Contribution to Volunteering Award. Kevin said: “I really like being a Quality Checker and getting out and about to see different services. I’m more confident now.”
Christopher added: “We make a difference by telling people when they’re doing well – and when they can make services more accessible.”
Violet is supporting the Portsmouth Integrated Learning Disability team by helping staff learn Makaton. Makaton is a language programme that uses signs alongside speech, helping people who have little or no spoken language to communicate.
Each month, Violet creates a short video signing key words and phrases, which the team then watches and practises. At the team’s away day in May, she led the group in signing the song You Are My Sunshine - and made it fun and engaging.
Communication is essential in health and social care. Learning basic Makaton can make a big difference for people with learning disabilities.
Violet explained: “Hello, my name is Violet. I’m 23 and I have Down’s Syndrome and autism. I like scuba diving and I love ABBA, but most of all I love to sign.
“Signing helped me as I was growing up - it gave me a voice before I could speak. I want to help others learn Makaton so they can communicate with people like me.
“Helping others learn Makaton makes me feel happy. It’s really important to me.”
Learn more at: https://makaton.org
Carly plays an active role in her local community and believes strongly in making sure people with learning disabilities are heard.
“My motto is to always look at the capability of someone - never judge the disability. I like to get other people involved and included.”
She is co-chair of the Portsmouth Learning Disability Partnership Board, which meets five times a year and brings together service users, carers and professionals to discuss how services and the city can improve.
Carly has chaired the board for several years. She is friendly and welcoming but not afraid to speak up when something needs to change. Meetings can be busy and loud - so she now brings a bell to keep everyone in order!
The board has discussed a wide range of topics including health checks, transport, employment, housing, and access to leisure activities.
Carly also noticed a gap in local social groups for young adults with disabilities. With a bit of support, she started Abilities for Life, a weekly evening group at Cosham Community Centre, which now attracts more than 20 regular attendees.
She also featured in a film about visiting the dentist - encouraging others who may feel anxious about it.
“I love coming to Boxercise and definitely want to carry on coming.”
That is Will’s verdict on the weekly fitness group he’s been attending since January.
Inspired by the success of the Solent Stormers walking and running group, community nurse Mike Godfrey launched a second activity group - this time focused on Boxercise.
Sessions take place every Friday morning at St Margaret’s Church on Highland Road. The group brings people together in a friendly, inclusive setting, encouraging movement and improving fitness. Members often meet for lunch in the church café beforehand.
Mike said: “Everyone really enjoys the sessions. We follow a routine but always add something new each time. The group has really come together and it’s great to see how much fun we can have while exercising.”
Group members have a say in shaping sessions and are currently designing their own logo. A recent Sport England grant has helped them buy new equipment including gloves, mats, a music player and hand grips.
The group is open to anyone aged 18 or over with a learning disability. To find out more, email mike.godfrey@solent.nhs.uk
The Champion Trainers are four service users from Portsmouth Integrated Learning Disability Service who regularly deliver training to professionals across the city. Their session, Living with a Learning Disability, helps staff understand how to support people better by hearing directly from those with lived experience.
David, Bob, Peter and Claire previously volunteered their time. They are now paid for their work, in recognition of the value they bring.
Claire said: “Now that we’re getting paid, we feel part of the team. Delivering the sessions helps people become more aware of learning disabilities, and we’ve all gained confidence from doing it.
“In the future I’d love to present at conferences around the UK – and do more face-to-face sessions to get interaction and feedback.”
Thank you to the whole group for their continued work. First-hand experience makes training more powerful and more meaningful.
