When I think about it, it was in going to different groups that I got to meet lots of people, and I made friends that way. I met people when I started going to my local ACE group, then I got asked to join the national ACE group, so I met more people that way. Then it was through that, that I was asked …
To mark Scottish Housing Day 2020 and its social housing theme, SCLD’s Evidence & Policy Officer Lorne Berkley explores the the role and potential of social housing in the lives of people with learning/intellectual disabilities in Scotland… Over the last few months, we’ve all had to spend much more time at home. The response to the Covid-19 pandemic has changed …
A wee blether with… Jordan Allan, who is Service Quality Director at Thera Trust Scotland, an organisation which seeks to demonstrate that people with learning disabilties can be leaders in society. Thera is co-managed by directors who have lived experience of learning disability, like Jordan… Hi Jordan – nice to meet you, even if it is through a …
Our Evidence & Research Officer, Ruth Callander, writes about how the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown what is really important to people with learning/intellectual disabilities into ever sharper focus… Coronavirus swept into our lives like a tidal wave, turning them upside down, and confining us to our homes. At SCLD, we very quickly adapted our ways of working; video calls and …
Neil, a man with a learning disability and multiple long-term health conditions, tells us of his experience of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and what he thinks needs to change to make things better for people with learning disabilities. My name is Neil, I am a man living in Scotland. I have learning disability, dyslexia, type 2 diabetes, and asthma. I live …
In recognition of Scottish Learning Disability Week and Mental Health Awareness Week, Eddie McConnell, Chair of SCLD and Chief Executive of Down’s Syndrome Scotland, shares a letter to his son Finlay… Dear Finlay, How are you today? I ask, because I noticed that you put your birthday cards back up in your room eight weeks after we celebrated your …
SCLD’s Implementation & Involvement Officer, Catriona Rowley, writes about why the concept of ‘Social Capital’ has become increasingly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, and why it impacts on people with learning/intellectual disabilities… “The first part of the year is always busy at SCLD, and a commonly uttered comment is ‘”we’ll pick that up after Learning Disability Week”‘. This year Scottish …
Our newest member of the SCLD team, Evidence & Policy Intern, Matthew, introduces himself and tells us what it has been like to start a new job from your own home… “My name is Matthew Muirhead and I am the new Evidence and Policy intern here at SCLD. I’m originally from Falkirk and I studied at the University of Glasgow, …
SCLD’s Engagement & Influencing Manager, Kenneth Fleming, writes about why holding Scottish Learning Disability Week is more relevant now than ever in this time of global crisis… “On one level, it seems strange to be thinking about an awareness week with a focus on the environment, when our environments are smaller than ever. It is odd to think about coming together to celebrate the …
SCLD’s Policy & Implementation Officer Oonagh Brown writes about the risk to the human rights of people with learning disabilities during the COVID-19 emergency… Over the last few weeks, there have been concerns expressed across the UK by disabled people and those who represent them about how decisions will be made concerning disabled people’s health care and treatment during the Coronavirus emergency. It is also becoming clear that …
