August 10, 2017
My Life My Choice runs user-led campaigns about issues that our members care about.
After watching the Channel 4 Documentary Under Lock and Key, the campaigning group has been looking at how many people with learning disabilities live in a hospital.
We thought about all the things that we like to do – things that we would not be able to do if we lived in a hospital.
Our answers drove home the importance of person centred care and support, because everybody is so different. It seems obvious, but it is easy to forget this when commissioners ask what “care in the community” needs to look like.
Andy is a football fan, and is excited about seeing Oxford United play at home.
Paul’s favourite things are going on day trips and playing bingo. He is passionate about Stingray nightclub – the club night for people with a learning disability that he helps to run.
Family is really important to Pam, who says that she really likes being married and having four step-sons. She also loves to walk her dog every day and go on holiday.
Jackie likes bingo and knitting, and has a cat called Fluffy.
Shaun likes watching sport and listening to music. He says, “you can’t do this if you’re in an Assessment and Treatment Unit.”
How about you? What is important to you? What would you miss out on if you lived in an institution, a long way from your home?
You can watch the video we made about this here.
The facts and figures we used were put together by Professor Chris Hatton, and first published here.
