How Lifeways is celebrating Scottish Learning Disability Week 2021

Lifeways’ residential and supported living services in Scotland are taking part in this year’s Scottish Learning Disability Week, joined by our services around the UK.

Taking place from 10-16 May, Scottish Learning Disability Week 2021 focuses on relationships – and the importance of having other people in our lives, whether they be neighbours, friends, family or a romantic partner.

For the week ahead, people we support will be encouraged to have conversations about different types of relationships.

Here’s a quick look of what we’ll talk about, with one day for each topic:

• Monday: friendships
• Tuesday: sex
• Wednesday: challenges in relationships
• Thursday: family
• Friday: romance
• Saturday: having a social life
• Sunday: taking care of yourself

Materials to take part in Scottish Learning Disability Week 2021 will be posted on Workplace, Lifeways’ internal communications platform for our 11,000 colleagues.

People we support will also have the option to take part in several more ways. These include:

• Make a promise to have an open conversation about relationships of any kind, by filling in Promise Cards
• Make a love paper chain, using bright colours and textured materials, such as feathers or fabric, and hang it up in your home
• Play the ‘Situationship’ game, which explores different scenarios or aspects of relationships
• And lastly, celebrate your relationships by hosting a get-together, either online or in person, depending on your individual arrangements.

‘A chance to engage’

Over 125,000 people in Scotland live with learning and intellectual disabilities, according to the organiser, the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities.

 “We know that getting out and socialising can sometimes be more difficult for people who live with learning disabilities,” said Karen Roberts, Lifeways’ Group Head of Health & Clinical Governance.

“This can lead to fewer opportunities to meet people and form relationships – something we know everyone should have an equal opportunity to do.”

“For Lifeways, Scottish Learning Disability Week is a chance to engage with people we support, many of whom have learning disabilities, and to have meaningful conversations about relationships – whether with our Support Teams, friends, family, or a romantic partner.”

Many of our services in Scotland are run by Living Ambitions, which is part of the Lifeways Group. 

About Lifeways:

The Lifeways Group is the UK’s largest team of support professionals who support for adults living in the community.

Supporting adults with diverse and complex needs, our team are experts at working with people who live with learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries, and mental health conditions. 

The Lifeways Group's extensive experience and national reach mean we deliver extraordinary support to adults. Our support enables individuals to live fulfilling and independent lives in the community. 

Our 11,000 colleagues support close to 5,000 individuals living in our 1,500 supported living and residential services across England, Scotland, and Wales. 

Discover more about how we change people's lives at: www.lifeways.co.uk  

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