The Norfolk Learning Disability Partnership runs Locality Group Meetings across Norfolk. These meetings give people with learning disabilities, carers, and professionals a chance to share their experiences and ideas about how to improve local services.
Each group talked about important topics, and their feedback will be shared with the Learning Disability Partnership Board to help make real changes.
Key Issues We Discussed
🚍 Transport
- Buses and trains are not always accessible.
- Bus passes were not valid before 9:30 AM, making it harder to get to work or appointments. (This has now changed thanks to our efforts!)
- Some rural areas have very few transport options.
- Train stations need better accessibility, like lower ticket machines and more staff support.
🏡 Housing
- There are long waiting times for accessible housing.
- Some people are placed in housing that doesn’t meet their needs.
- More support is needed for people to live independently.
💼 Employment
- Job centres and employment schemes need to be easier to use.
- Some businesses do a great job hiring people with learning disabilities, but more awareness is needed.
- Employment contracts should be in Easy Read.
- There should be more job fairs and volunteering opportunities.
🎭 Day Services & Social Groups
- More evening and weekend activities are needed, especially for older adults.
- Some areas have no local day services, making travel a problem.
- A directory of activities and services would help people find the support they need.
🏥 Healthcare & Community Support
- Not enough NHS dentists take new patients.
- Annual health checks need to be done in person, not just over the phone.
- More training is needed for life skills like managing money.
- People want “quiet shopping hours” to be brought back in local stores.
What Happens Next?
Everything we talked about has been written down and will be shared with the Learning Disability Partnership Board. This helps make sure your voices are heard and changes happen!
We will keep working to make Norfolk a better place for people with learning disabilities.
How You Can Help
📢 Join your local group and share your thoughts!
📧 Email us at contact@norfolkldpartnership.org.uk
📝 Tell us what matters to you!
Let’s keep working together to improve services in Norfolk! 🚀
