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Date: Tuesday 23rd July 2024
π Held on: Zoom
The Norfolk Learning Disability Partnership Board (LDPB) met to talk about important topics for people with learning disabilities in Norfolk. Hereβs a simple summary of what happened.
What We Talked About
1οΈβ£ Locality Groups Update
π’ June Walton & Emma Beales gave an update on the Locality Groups.
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People in Locality Groups shared what activities are available in their area, including:
π Pyjama Parties
π³ Bowling
π Theatre & Cinema
π¨ Arts & Crafts
π€ Karaoke & Music
π Swimming
π² Cycling & Outdoor Activities
πΆ Dance & Nightclubs (e.g. Fuse Club)
βοΈ Holidays & Weekend Trips
βͺ Church & Community Groups
π Next Step: The Development Workers will help create a way for people to find out about these activities easily.
π‘ Discussion:
β Can the Norwich Locality Group be moved to Tuesdays?
π Answer: This will be discussed in the 3rd July meeting to see if it helps more people attend.
2οΈβ£ Learning Disability Service Model in Norfolk
π’ Rachel Gates introduced plans for improving services in 2025.
πΉ What will change from April 2025?
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Mainstream Health Services (Principle 6) β Annual health checks, hospital passports, reasonable adjustments.
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Community Health & Social Care Support (Principles 7 & 8) β Better specialist services working together.
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Hospitals (Principle 9) β Better discharge planning so people donβt stay in hospital longer than needed.
π₯ Who runs the hospitals?
- NSFT β Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation Trust
- HPFT β Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust
- NCHC β Norfolk Community Health & Care
3οΈβ£ What Needs to Change?
π₯ Healthcare β Going to the Doctor or Dentist
- Some people need support to attend appointments, but help is not always available.
- Transport problems make it hard to get there.
- Private dentists are too expensive, and NHS dentists are hard to find.
- Some dentists visit care homes, but self-advocates said they have no access to NHS dentistry.
π Solution:
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More NHS dental services needed to stop people needing hospital treatment.
β
Flexible support for appointments so people feel safe.
π₯ Healthy Eating & Exercise
- People want support to eat better and stay active.
- Good ideas shared:
- Smaller portion sizes π½οΈ
- More fruit & veg ππ₯¦
- Daily exercise (30 mins) πββοΈ
- Help for diabetics ππ₯
- Most self-advocates already try to eat healthily!
π Solution:
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More healthy meal planning support.
β
Better access to exercise groups.
π Sex & Relationships
- Some people with learning disabilities feel unsafe in public.
- Not enough conversations about relationships & consent.
- Online dating can be dangerous without the right support.
- Many self-advocates want more friendships and relationships but donβt know how to start.
π Solution:
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Better education on relationships & consent.
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Safe spaces to meet people & make friends.
4οΈβ£ Other Updates
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Upcoming Event:
π 1st July 2024 β “Making It Real” Event at The Forum, Norwich
- The Norfolk Learning Disability Partnership will have a stall to share information.
π Next Meeting: Held on Zoom β Want to join? Email contact@norfolkldpartnership.org.uk.
π’ Letβs keep working together to make Norfolk better for everyone! π