Dimensions has been accredited as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces by the Great Place to Work Institute for the third year in a row. What’s more, this is the first year that the accreditation includes Discovery, and I am absolutely delighted that we have received this accolade. It is a wonderful recognition of our hard work after a very challenging period for everyone.
Alex Beckett has received a `Small Sparks’ grant from the Discovery Community Fund to buy a new tablet so he can make videos of buses and trains.
Dimensions has already taken the decision, subject to the Equality Act, for new support workers to commit to getting vaccinated. Requiring current colleagues to be vaccinated is at present not mandatory, so whilst we are encouraging vaccination vigorously and monitoring it closely, at the moment, we will not go further. Read Dimensions’ Chief Executive, Steve Scown’s, blog
This National Siblings day I want to encourage families – siblings as well as mum and dad – to speak up, to share their gut feelings, to ask questions, to share their hopes and fears with the people who give day-to-day support to their loved one.
A cornerstone of therapy that is often misinterpreted is that the individual is the expert in their own experience. What this means is that dialogue is essential for therapy. It means that practitioners need to change and develop, and really understand each unique individual they work with.
People with learning disabilities don’t often vote in elections. Is that the root cause for why this group so often find themselves at the back of the queue? Is that what I’m missing? Encouragingly in our research, 57% of respondents said they want to be more involved in politics as a result of the pandemic. That must be a real opportunity for change. So if you are in a position to encourage even one person with a learning disability or autism to get into politics, please do so.
Jordan, who works as a mechanic in Bridgwater, has been awarded a grant to buy his own tools.
The grant from Small Sparks is part of the Discovery Community Fund which awards people with additional needs £500 to enable them to live fulfilling lives in their community.
I am delighted that today we have launched our new video and brochure to promote equality, celebrate diversity and ensure inclusion. Both resources will be used inside and outside our organisation to make sure the message that Discovery values me as me is heard loudly and clearly.
Jody Tandy is the Better Practice Lead at The Willows in Taunton. In this moving blog, she talks about the prejudice she has encountered as a lesbian.
Pride month means many things to many people.
Whatever their gender identity or sexuality, this Pride we’d like to remind people with learning disabilities and autism (and those around them) of their rights when it comes to intimate relationships.