Destination - Kingston University - Learning Disability Today
Leanne Yeo, Pro-Active Community Chair, joined delegates at Kingston University on Thursday 12th September for the Learning Disability Today Conference.
The morning Keynote speakers and advocates, including Jim Blair Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, Scott Watkin BEM Dani Harris Sheilabye Sobrany Baroness Sheila Hollins Ann Keen, Former health minister and MP, Sir Norman Lamb theatre director and writer Stephen Unwin Sara Ryan Professor of Social Care, and Ismail Kaji Parliamentary Affairs Support Officer from Mencap, spoke about so many issues still ongoing relating to a lack of awareness or understanding relating to Learning Disability.
Duncan Burton has “committed to learning Makaton” and to “tackle inequalities preventing the long term workforce plan, that will be a key focus, a 46% increase (in staff) is planned offering more routes in to nursing” he will “build a workforce fit for the future”. He spoke with genuine commitment to positive and immediate change so we eagerly await the proposed plans and positive outcomes.
Sheilabye Sobrany joined many in the lecture theatre voicing concern and frustration about feeling “undervalued”, the “lack of recognition” felt across nursing and support staff in low pay and inequality.
Baroness Sheila Hollins suggested now is the time to change the unhelpful labels, “Stop special, it isn’t special it’s limiting people accessing what is rightfully theirs”
Diagnostic overshadowing or unconscious bias are often a cause of misdiagnosis for those with learning disability.
Everyone was united, the time for talking about change has to be over, “change has to happen now, not tomorrow not next week - now”
“No voice unheard, no right ignored”
“The state as a whole needs fundamental reform, we have the opportunity to make change happen”
The afternoons breakout sessions and speaker presentations continued to bring thoughtful debate and emotional topics to the delegates.
Irene Tuffrey-Wijne delivered a thought provokingly moving presentation about the bereavement and dying research project undertaken to provide some exceptional tool kit resources for everyone to benefit from. I highly encourage you to explore them www.victoriaandstuart.com.
Congratulations to Jim Blair on Chairing and coordinating such a powerful, interactive conference.
Always good to catch up with the Beyond Words team and Scott Watkin BEM, meet Adrian Anim and also some of the advocates at My life my choice to open conversations around the importance or oral and dental health Pro Active Community members started to explore last year with Liz Williams. Certainly a baton members will pick up again to take forward with the Surrey Heartlands team.
Accountability is key in making change happen.
Government has to commit to making the changes needed, let’s review in a few months time what Duncan Burton has tabled. 🤞🍀with the The Makaton Charity.
