Hello Catherine and Don, and others Reading both your emails resounds with me too. I am a family carer and my 33 year old daughter with complex needs lives at home. Like other families we have come to develop a deep understanding about our daughter through spending decades together. Equality is never as difficult to achieve as in the right to difference and identity. Many of our sons and daughters are not able to speak and tell you about their likes, dislikes, needs, life stories, belonging etc. One size fits all generic training of support staff (the most important support at every day level ..read more

Hello Catherine just read your email below that brought back memory’s . as a retired family carer for an adults with learning difficulty’s i was amazed to find out just how little doctors under stood about adults with learning difficulty’s what i did come across Was the policy one fits all as we all know this is not the case . as a result to i agreed with other like minded carers to be part of a carer group working with UWE , UNVERICTY WEST THE ENGLAND health and social care tutors as an advisory group we were asked to look at the training schedules and were shocked to read so many misleading ..read more

Hi everyone, My name is Catherine and I’ve been working on a project about health inequalities in our communities and I thought I’d share here if that’s ok? I think this really ties into what’s discussed here on the Choice Forum. ‘Jasper Pickles Climbs Everest’ is an audio story which explores the health inequalities of autistic people and people with learning disabilities, and was co-created and voiced by people with lived experience. Through taking a walk in Jasper’s shoes as he takes an intrepid journey to the hospital, ‘Jasper Pickles Climbs Everest’ promotes further reflection on what you ..read more

Hi Phil, that is great to hear the info will be useful. If you find time, please let me know what you eventually plan. I am busy looking at communication/sensory apps for those with dementia/alzheimers, all in different stages of the condition. These stages fit closely with the work we all do with significant complex needs. best sensory wishes, Flo ..read more

Hello Flo Thank you so much for your very generous response to my query. I know when I looked at communication apps around 10 years ago, there were lots of options! The information you sent will be really useful as we update our communication strategy. Take care Phil ..read more

Communication apps used in schools/colleges and beyond in the UK 2024 Whilst we have significant sign languages, symbol languages used through the uk , communication apps are still in their infancy. There seem to be no initiative on hand to try and create a useful UK structure or informed research to do this. Scream! There is also the conflict with the use of android tablets and iPads, as apps are different on both ranges and also in affordable price. Communication apps range from a simple swipe for yes/no to the very complicated Proloquo2Go. They range from free to extraordinary prices, many ..read more

Hello I work with adults and we are updating our communication approaches. It would be helpful to know what communication apps schools and colleges (especially in Surrey and surrounding counties) are using, so we can include these in our plans. Thank you, Phil Mack ..read more

This is an updated easy read poster/flyer encouraging people to speak to their doctor if they have had a cough for 3 weeks or more: 221110_huhy-lung-cancer-symptoms_easy-read_web.pdf (499.9 KB) The poster/flyer says: Have you had a cough for 3 weeks or more? If you have had a cough for 3 weeks or more, speak to your doctor. It is probably nothing serious but it could be a warning sign for cancer. Do not ignore it. If it is cancer, finding it early makes it easier to treat. Speak to your doctor, they will want to see you. Find out more at nhs.uk/cancersymptoms Other easy read posters about spo ..read more

This is a 2-page easy read leaflet which raises awareness that pharmacies can now provide prescription medicines for seven conditions, if needed, without a GP appointment. 240415_NHS_Pharmacy_EasyRead_2-page-leaflet_Web.pdf (729.1 KB) The leaflet says: New ways your pharmacist can help you Your local pharmacist can now treat you and give you medicines for some illnesses without you having to see a doctor first. Pharmacists can now help if you have: an earache and you may have a high temperature a dry, scratchy or sore throat a urinary tract infection (UTI) which can feel like a burning o ..read more

Salary: £70,000 - £75,000 per annum Location: Wallingford and travel throughout Oxfordshire Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week Holiday: 33 days including Bank Holiday Closing Date: 19th April 2024, interviews week commencing 29th April 2024 Would you like to play a key role in the next steps of this ‘outstanding’ Oxfordshire based Charity supporting people with Learning Disabilities and Autism? This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of something special. Style Acre is a dynamic and vibrant charity providing a wide-range of support and opportunities for adults with learning disabilities ..read more