Learning Disability Week 2020 – Online and looking at the importance of friendships during lockdown
Learning Disability Week for 2020, which is taking place from 15th to 21st June, has to be a bit different than normal due to the coronavirus and that we are currently living in lock down. This means that we are not able to come together for our usual celebration events, however there are still lots of ways you can get involved online during the week.
Getting involved and accessing support
Mencap who organise the week nationally have changed the theme to the importance of friendship in lockdown and have lots of ideas and information on their website.
Talk2Us and Gateshead People have made a short film called Speaking Up Together- Window on the World. The film was part of a project funded by the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner’s Corona Virus Response Fund. They worked alongside Digital Voice to help people with learning disabilities learn about using Zoom, and hope to make a couple of more films made before the project comes to an end. During the lock down they have established a virtual self-advocacy group which meets on Zoom every Wednesday afternoon and we have had as many as 23 people at the meeting. They still continue to work virtually on their projects specifically our work following the Whorlton Hall scandal #WeAreHumanToo and around cancer. You would be welcome to come into their next meeting and say hello to everyone if you like. Contact the team at Your Voice Counts on 0191 478 6472 to find out more.
Watch it now on their YouTube page.
Talk2Us together with a number of other learning disability groups across the north east have been involved in making another film call Be Cancer Aware: Signs of Cancer. This gives you lots of advice of things to be looking out for and telling your doctor as it is important to get things checked out early. Watch the film here.
Talk2Us together with a number of other learning disability groups across the north east have been involved in making another film call Be Cancer Aware: Signs of Cancer. This gives you lots of advice of things to be looking out for and telling your doctor as it is important to get things checked out early. Watch the film at https://youtu.be/yZ56mlCecvs
Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums are keeping families engaged and active together with family resources on their Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort and South Shields Museums and Art Gallery family activities home page. Click here to be taken on Roman adventures click here for behind the scenes of our museums local history collections.
Your Voice Counts are Keeping People Connected in South Tyneside during the Coronavirus crisis. They are doing their best to support people at this difficult time by:
✓ Helping people understand their current circumstances
✓ Helping people to stay connected
✓ Helping people to problem solve things like getting shopping or medication
✓ Supporting people to get help from other services if needed
They want to help people stay safe, healthy and not feel alone. The Keeping People Connected service is FREE and available now for people with learning disabilities and/or autism who need support. Your Voice Counts are keeping people connected by running online groups and workshops such as fitness and art. Contact the team at Your Voice Counts on 0191 478 7472 or keepingpeopleconnected@yvc.org.uk to find out more.
Books Beyond Words have produced a number of picture stories and illustrated guides about coronavirus, including Beating the Virus, Good Days and Bad Days During Lockdown and When Someone Dies from Coronavirus. These are free to download by clicking here.
Spread the word and coming back together
If you use social media let everyone know what you are during Learning Disability Week using the hashtag #LDWeek2020
Once things get back to normal we will plan a way we can come back together and have a celebration here in South Tyneside. Stay safe and see you soon!
