In our last NDPB meeting, each of the members had the opportunity to highlight which areas they felt they would most like to “change” about the field of learning disability. Jackie Mann, our representative on this board was very keen, along with many of the other members to increase learning disability training awareness.

Jackie put forward that there is value in focussing on a particular area of awareness – and that is in mainstream schools and collectively with LINK local businesses. The Richardson Partnership For Care and LINK will pilot the scheme in Kingsthorpe (Northampton, UK) at the Richardson Mews with the intention of hosting an initial “Awareness Day” which would involve training and discussion for senior managers and managers to encourage them to be more aware and sensitive to the fact that there is a person behind the disability. One of the other objectives would be to have an interactive conversation about how to formally launch this pilot. By attending this specialist and insightful training day – the attendees will in turn be able to educate and transfer the knowledge and learning back to their employers.

The plan is to organically grow this initiative country-wide and then to celebrate this with a fun day (date TBC) where all the community come together as one, celebrating disability, diversity and equality. Watch this space for some exciting updates about the progress of this initiative.

If you own, work for, or operate a local business in Kingsthorpe (Northampton) and are interested in participating in this initiative – please contact Jackie Mann on 01604 791 266 or jackie.mann@careresidential.co.uk