People met in five different areas of Norfolk to talk about important issues for people with learning disabilities. These were:
📍 Norwich (10th October)
📍 North Norfolk (18th October)
📍 West Norfolk (30th October)
📍 South Norfolk (1st November)
📍 East Norfolk (8th November)
What happened at the meetings?
The meetings focused on three main topics:
✅ Draft Learning Disability Plan – A first look at what is planned for people with learning disabilities.
✅ Sharing Feedback – How people can continue to share their ideas and concerns.
✅ Local Updates – What’s happening in each area for people with learning disabilities.
1. The Draft Learning Disability Plan
The plan focuses on five key areas that people with learning disabilities said are important.
🏡 Housing & Where I Live
- People want help to stay in their own homes.
- Some want to move to a place where they can have pets.
- Others want more independence – to cook their own meals and live near friends.
- People want more choice over who they live with.
📝 What will be done?
- More information about housing choices will be shared.
- Support for home adaptations (changes to help people stay safe at home).
- Better housing advice and grants to help people live independently.
🩺 Health & Wellbeing
- People want text reminders for health appointments.
- It’s difficult to find a dentist who understands learning disabilities.
- Some need help with weight loss and exercise.
- Sex and relationships advice is important.
📝 What will be done?
- More people will be registered with a GP and get annual health checks.
- Information will be shared about Learning Disability Nurses at hospitals.
- More training and health support groups will be available.
💰 Independence & Employment
- People want help managing their money and bills.
- More support is needed to learn cooking skills.
- People want to feel safe in their homes and communities.
- There need to be more evening and weekend activities.
📝 What will be done?
- Job support will be provided to help people find paid work.
- More courses and training will be available to help people be independent.
- Local groups will share what activities are available in each area.
🚍 Transport & Getting Out and About
- More disabled toilets are needed.
- Public transport needs to be improved, especially in rural areas.
- Some people feel unsafe when out and about.
- A festival for adults with learning disabilities was suggested.
- Bus and taxi drivers need more training on how to help people with learning disabilities.
📝 What will be done?
- More travel training (like Titan Travel) will be offered.
- There will be discussions about allowing bus passes to be used before 9:30 AM.
- Safety measures will be explored to help people feel safe when travelling.
👩👩👦 Support for Carers
- Carers need regular breaks to continue supporting people.
- Some don’t know where to find help.
- People worry about what will happen when carers get older.
- Some struggle to get the right support when things get difficult.
📝 What will be done?
- A list of available carer support services will be created and shared.
- Contact information for emergency carer support will be made clearer.
- Local carer support groups will be promoted.
2. How Can People Share Feedback?
People were asked how they would like to share their thoughts about what is working and what needs improving.
💬 Suggestions included:
- Face-to-face meetings and locality meetings.
- Email or phone numbers to send feedback.
- Easy-read updates or video summaries.
- Mini-meetings or workshops led by people with learning disabilities.
- Surveys or social media groups.
📝 Next Steps:
- A new advisory forum will be set up to give ongoing feedback.
- More ways will be created for people to share their thoughts easily.
3. Local Updates & News
Each area shared what is happening locally:
📢 Norwich
- “No Limits” is running inclusive dance sessions.
- “Leaf” is organising monthly discos and karaoke nights.
- “Opening Doors” is holding events on health and wellbeing.
📢 North Norfolk
- “About with Friends” is starting a new relationship group.
📢 West Norfolk
- Local cafes are being reviewed for how they welcome people with learning disabilities.
- A campaign is underway to stop cars parking on pavements.
- A community bus service is looking to offer free transport for hospital and GP visits.
📢 South Norfolk
- “Headway” is running a carers support group in King’s Lynn.
📢 East Norfolk
- A new night hub for 14-19-year-olds is being planned.
- Great Yarmouth Library is running a monthly “Cuppa Group” to help people meet new friends.
Next Steps
📅 The final Learning Disability Plan is being updated with all the feedback.
📢 Once published, it will be shared in day centres, online, and in easy-read formats.
📝 Changes will be tracked, and people will be informed of what is working and what needs improvement.
📩 If you have more ideas or feedback, email:
contact@norfolkldpartnership.org.uk
