People met in five different areas of Norfolk to talk about important issues for people with learning disabilities. These were:
📍 Norwich (15th June)
📍 North Norfolk (22nd June)
📍 West Norfolk (27th June)
📍 South Norfolk (5th July)
📍 East Norfolk (20th July)
What happened at the meetings?
The meetings focused on three main topics:
✅ Updates from the Learning Disability Partnership Board
✅ Looking back at the old Learning Disability Strategy
✅ Discussing ideas for the new Learning Disability Strategy
1. Learning Disability Partnership Board Updates
🔹 New members: The board welcomed 5 new self-advocates and 2 new organisations.
🔹 Employment: A recent meeting focused on jobs for people with learning disabilities. Notes can be found on the Norfolk Learning Disability Partnership website.
🔹 Bus passes: People asked if the 9:30 start time for free bus passes was a national or local rule.
📩 If you want more details, email: contact@norfolkldpartnership.org.uk
2. Looking Back – The Previous Learning Disability Strategy
The last strategy was called “My Life, My Ambition, My Future” and focused on 10 priority areas.
Some key achievements:
🏡 Housing – More supported living options, including shared housing and enablement services.
💼 Employment – More employers became “Disability Confident” and a new Employment Service was created.
🧑⚕️ Health – More people got annual health checks, and hospitals now have a Learning Disability Nurse.
🚍 Transport – Extra travel training was introduced to help people travel independently.
🧑🎓 Transition to Adulthood – A Preparing for Adult Life Service now helps young people plan their futures.
3. What People Want in the New Strategy
Everyone shared ideas about what should improve in the next strategy.
🏡 Housing
- People want more choice in where they live and who they live with.
- There is a lack of housing in rural areas.
- The Norfolk County Council website should have easier-to-find housing information.
💼 Jobs & Work Experience
- Employers need more training on working with people with learning disabilities.
- People want more job opportunities and better promotion of work placements.
- More voluntary positions should be available.
🚍 Transport
- Bus passes should be valid earlier in the morning.
- Taxi drivers need training to support people with learning disabilities.
- More wheelchair taxis are needed.
- Better signs and clearer information at transport hubs.
🧑⚕️ Health & Wellbeing
- It is hard to book dentist appointments.
- GP surgeries should continue sending reminders for health checks.
- More easy-read information for hospital visits.
- Sexual health support should be available for adults with learning disabilities.
📅 Social Activities
- More evening and weekend activities.
- People want to meet others safely through dating agencies and social groups.
- Swimming pools and parks should be more accessible.
📢 Other Key Issues
- A single website or guide with all learning disability services and events.
- More training for police on learning disabilities.
- Forms should be shorter and easier to read.
Next Steps
📅 The new Learning Disability Strategy is being developed with NHS Norfolk & Waveney.
✍️ All feedback from the meetings will be included in the strategy.
📩 If you have more ideas, email: contact@norfolkldpartnership.org.uk
