Queen's Speech response: Welfare reform must deliver for disabled people

We welcome legislation on welfare reform, announced in today's Queen's Speech, as an opportunity to debate employment opportunities for disabled people, but we are also concerned at the impact of penalties on those unable to access work.

Speaking about the Government's plans, Chief Executive of United Response, Su Sayer OBE, said:

"We support the Government’s objective of helping disabled people and those with mental health problems into work. Having a job is an important source of independence, self esteem and social inclusion for everyone, and is particularly important for many people with learning disabilities or mental health needs. However, employment rates for these groups remains low and as competition for jobs increases those furthest from the labour market will undoubtedly be the first to lose out, unless we take action.

"Much has been done to increase support for disabled people wishing to enter in to employment, such as the doubling of the Access to Work budget. But as take up of the scheme remains low, we believe that the Government must do more to increase awareness of such schemes in order for them to have a real impact on employment opportunities.

Read the full press release about our comments on the legislation on welfare reform on our website

European Social Fund backs employment for people with learning disabilities in Cornwall

We have been selected as a key partner in a new project to support people with learning disabilities in Cornwall into employment.

The project is "Cornwall Works for Learning Disability" and is funded by the European Social Fund. The other key partners are Cornwall People First (a local advocacy group), Cornwall County Council's department of social care and service providers Brandon Trust and Home Farm Trust.

Debbie Crowther has been named as United Response's business development manager, responsible for spearheading the project. She has a wealth of experience working with people with learning disabilities, including facilitating Cornwall's Learning Disability Partnership Board.

"We hope this project will prove the real positive impact employment has for people with learning disabilities, and how to bring that about with intelligent, targeted investment," Debbie said.

"I'm very excited about getting on with the job of finding the excellent potential employees we know are in Cornwall, as well as benefiting from genuine partnership with so many excellent organisations."

United Response was selected as a partner as a result of the excellent results its supported employment schemes have achieved across England.

Read the full press release on our website

Making Money Easier launches!

United Response has made a new guide to help people with learning disabilities live independently.

It's called Your Money, Your Home and tells people some of the things they need to know about living in their own house or flat. And how to manage the things they need to pay for.

To find out more you can visit the Your Money, Your Home website

We would like to say a big thank you to HSBC and the Now Let's Talk Money Campaign for funding Your Money, Your Home.

The website is part of a bigger resource called Making Money Easier.

The Making Money Easier resource was produced by ARC and United Response. There is a set of printed booklets and a website produced by ARC. The website is at www.making-money-easier.info

You can find out more background about the resources on our website.

Challenge events for United Response!

We're really excited about our new challenge events!

You can now take part in a glorious five day London to Paris bike ride or a ten day Trek in Machu Pichu in Peru and raise money for United Response at the same time.

We need you to take part in these events and help us raise vital funds.

Go to the challenge events section of our website to find out more and sign up!

Making Money Easier launch event

We will be launching "Making Money Easier" on 26th November. "Making Money Easier" is a set of printed and online guides designed to make banking more accessible and easier to understand for people with learning disabilities.

The event will be held on Wednesday, 26th November, 4.30-6pm, Institute of Directors, London and has been kindly sponsored by HSBC.

The event will be hosted by Martyn Lewis and guest speakers will include Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Health. Building financial capability has never been more important. And this includes building financial knowledge and awareness amongst the 1m people with learning disabilities in England who are often effectively excluded from mainstream financial services by a lack of simple, accessible financial information.

To bridge the gap, we have been working with the umbrella body ARC and funders including the Friends Provident Foundation, the Now Let’s Talk Money Campaign and HSBC to create a range of brand new accessible resources under the banner "Making Money Easier".Attendance is free of charge but places are strictly limited.

To book your place please contact Pauline Spiers either by email at pauline.spiers@unitedresponse.org.uk or by calling 020 8246 5208. You will then be sent an official invitation and joining instructions.

To read the press release in full please go to our website.

Our new pack to help schools tackle bullying of people with learning disabilities

UR Consultants is a social enterprise set up by United Response and staffed by people with learning disabilities in the Trafford area of Greater Manchester.

Over the last year, they have been working with local schools to tackle the bullying of people with learning disabilities.

As a result, they have developed an exciting and interactive new curriculum-linked education pack to help teachers prepare lessons on the subject of bullying.

There will be more on the pack on our website soon but you can read the press release on our site to find out more.

Update: this has also been featured in the Times Educational Supplement as part of a bigger feature. To read more go to http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6004529&navcode=94

United Response awarded Good Relations grant

We have received a grant of £39,326 from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to help build relationships between people with learning disabilities and the wider community.

Allocated through the EHRC's Promoting Good Relations programme the grant will fund a year long project aimed primarily at employers and employees.

Through the project we will provide bespoke awareness training to help reduce the discrimination and barriers to work experienced by people with learning disabilities.

The training will be delivered by UR Consultants, a Manchester based social enterprise run by United Response and staffed by people with learning disabilities.

Read the press release about this project on our website

United Response goes from 'Good to Great' through winning National Training Award

We have won a National Training Award, a major nationwide accolade, for our 'Good to Great' training programme in the North West.

'Good to Great' - a partnership with Helen Sanderson Associates - is an innovative training programme aimed at transforming the lives of the people supported by United Response but which has also given a massive boost to support staff's own job satisfaction.

Embracing the best of international practice, 'Good to Great' emphasises the importance of teamwork and empowers staff by providing a set of simple and clear tools to help them take a creative approach to problem-solving. It embraces a commitment to continuous improvement, with a constant focus on evaluating what’s working and what’s not working so that successes can be built on and learning shared.

To find out more read the press release on our website

London half marathon - Sunday 12th October

Congratulations to all our fantastic half marathon runners who took part in the race this weekend.

We think you are fantastic. We really hope that you enjoyed the day and the lovely views that you took in.

Thank you so much for helping us raise such valuable funds for the people that we support - it really will make such a difference to the people we support.

A class act: flexible training is turning around lives of people with mental health needs

For people with mental health needs, one of the hardest parts of recovery can often be reintegrating back into everyday life. Winfield is a Kent-based IT training specialist working to change all that.

Winfield's flexible approach has helped many people complete their training programme and gain qualifications. Some students like the routine and structure and others like the companionship and understanding that is provided.

To find out more, read our article A class act: a flexible approach to training

10th October - World Mental Health Day - Awareness raising events

To help celebrate, various local mental health groups are holding awareness raising events ranging from art workshops, Tai Chi taster sessions through to discovery walks along the seafront.

Charities United Response and Mind will be joining with the Western Sussex Primary Care Trust and other local groups to stage a series of mental health events throughout West Sussex. Aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues and providing people with information on how to look after their own mental health, the theme for this year's global celebrations will be making mental health a global priority.

Tuesday 7th October

10.30am - 4pm - Try it for yourself day in Midhurst, Catholic Church Hall, Bepton Road - Come and try your hand at everything from art to tai chi at this event organised by MIND in Midhurst. Highlights include:
10.30 - 12 noon - Art workshop
12.45 - 1.45pm - Tai Chi taster session
2.30 - 4pm - Music workshop
Tea, coffee and workshop materials are available (50p donation recommended).

Also

1pm onwards - Launch of 'Open Forum', DJ's café bar, Bognor - Users of mental health services are invited to the launch of this client led support and discussion forum (service users only).

Thursday 9th October

11am - Walk towards recovery, DJ's café bar, Little High Street, Bognor - Find out about the benefits of exercise with a bracing walk along Bognor's seafront, followed by a healthy lunch at DJ's café bar.

Friday 10th October

10.30am - 1pm - World Mental Health Day event, Alexandra Theatre, Regis Centre, seafront, Bognor - Join in the celebrations with complementary therapy taster sessions, handmade crafts, sign language demonstrations, raffles, refreshments, music and much much more. Local mental health groups will be giving out information on mental wellbeing and the services available in the local area.

Saturday 11th October

11am - 1pm - Sticky Jam, Sainsbury's in Chichester - By popular demand, local band Sticky jam are back to entertain you as you shop. Information on local mental health services will be available along with celebration balloons, ribbons and badges.

Christmas cards now on sale

Christmas is closer than you think!

Our Christmas cards now on sale.

These vibrant cards are designed by Bill Attack, who is supported by United Response.

They are available in packs of 10 and retail at £2.50 which includes P&P.

Order now to avoid disappointment:

• Through our online order form
  
• Directly through Laura Golland on 020 8246 5221
• Email laura.golland@unitedresponse.org.uk

Heavy Load: the movie - released this week!

Heavy Load is Lewes’ answer to the Ramones, a punk outfit subject to the inflammatory mix of ego, fantasy, and desire that fuels any emerging band.

They’re also, uniquely, made up of musicians, of whom three of the five members have learning disabilities, which makes the band’s survival a precarious negotiation between two different worlds: on the one hand the institutional timetable of day centres, work placements and social workers; on the other the chaotic slacker life of rehearsal rooms, studios and gigs.

Shot over two years when the band record their first album The Queen Mother’s Dead, the film is a comedy of conflicting ambitions capturing the sweat and romance of playing in a band as they move out of the ghetto of disability club nights to test whether their dreams can survive in the mainstream.

The film is released in selected cinemas in the UK this Friday, October 3rd.

To find out more, and to watch a trailer and much more go to www.heavyloadthemovie.com

United Response's London Carol Service announced

London carol service 2008

Come and join Martyn Lewis and special guests at our London carol service on Wednesday 3rd December.

The service will be held at St Peter's Church, Eaton Square, London SW1W 9AL. The venue is accessible.

It will start at 6.15pm.

The nearest tube station is Victoria

The event is free and everyone is welcome! It's always a great community event and you are invited to join us for wine and mince pies after the service.

To let us know you are coming please contact Pauline Spiers on 020 8246 5208 or email pauline.spiers@unitedresponse.org.uk

More details announced soon...

Deadline to sign up for Royal Parks Half Marathon this Friday!

Friday is the deadline to sign up for the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London!

We still have a few places to fill, but hurry!

The half marathon will take place on 12th October. The route promises to take in fantastic sites of London, whilst you're raising money for us!

Read more on our website or contact Pippi Reader on Pippi.Reader@unitedresponse.org.uk or 020 8246 5200.

Finalist in National Training Awards for Good to Great

We have been named as a finalist in the National Training Awards for our work delivering "Good To Great", our innovative training and development programme, in partnership with Helen Sanderson Associates.

You can read the press release on our site.

People with learning disabilities help to celebrate Liverpool as 2008 European City of Culture

Here is a press release we put on our website today about people with learning disabilities helping celebrate Liverpool as the European City of Culture:

A group of people with learning disabilities supported by United Response's Oakfield Day Service have put on their dancing shoes to help celebrate Liverpool as the 2008 European City of Culture.

United Response was one of ten community organisations asked to take part in the dance event, which was organised by Liverpool's Empire Theatre.

The build up to the event was intense with eight people supported by United Response attending five workshops with the theatre company throughout June, before starring in the final performance last month.

Anthony Kennedy who took part said: “I enjoyed the acting & dancing it made me feel good and made my family proud.”

Eileen Molloy also took part. She said: “I liked the sound effects, the music and lighting, it was exciting to dance too, it gave me so much confidence to go out in front of an audience”.

Two members of United Response staff also starred in the event. Senior Support Worker, Diane O Leary, said: “We all grew in confidence as the performance went on and the group worked hard for each other, supported each other, and wanted to do it all again!”

Service Manager, Veronica Astor, heads up United Response’s work at the Oakfield Day Service. She said: "We were really pleased to be asked to take part in the dance event. It was a lot of fun and it was great to be able to play our part in the city's celebrations.

"It was also a great opportunity for people to show off their talent. Over the years we have built up strong links with several local groups, making it possible for the people we support to take part in a number of arts projects from creating their own animations to making films about local history. Last year was the tenth anniversary of the Oakfield Service and with the help of the WEA some of the people supported by United Response made a stunning mosaic to celebrate the event.

"These projects and the dance event show just what can be achieved when the community works together to create opportunities for people with learning disabilities."

United Response works with people with learning disabilities throughout the Liverpool area. Working in partnership with other organisations, we provide people with everything from 24 hour care to supporting them to find work and play active role in the community. To find out more about the organisation, and the work they do locally, contact Alexandra Badwi or Mike Crawford on (0151) 4873605.

Response to Independent Inquiry's Health Inequalities report published

Guardian Society has printed a letter from Su Sayer today in response to last week's publication of the Independent Inquiry's report into health inequalities.

United Response has welcomed the report, but is calling for the recommendations to be turned into prompt action. Go to our website to read the press release.

About Me and My Life - now for sale

We've produced a fantastic resource called About Me and My Life

It's a CD-Rom and booklet to help people create multimedia tools using everyday technology. And we've made it really easy to use.

When we say multimedia tool, we mean a type of presentation that can show pictures, video or audio. These can really help people to communicate the things that are important, or to tell a story.

There are lots of things you can use the tool for. It's powerful and it's for sale!

Find out more on the resources page of our website

The Association for Supported Living Annual Conference announced

The Association for Supported Living has announced its Annual Conference

Due to take place on 25th November 2008, Supported Living and Personalisation: Money, Power and Control will aim to explore:

• the implications of increasing power and control being given to people with learning disabilities and others through the development of individual service funds


• how the gains made to people’s control and independence as a result of supported living can be developed and enhanced through the use of individual service funds


• how people with more complex needs can remain local and exercise their rights of tenancy

Speakers include:

• David Behan - Director General of Social Care, Department of Health


• Simon Duffy - National Director, In Control


• John O’Brien - Responsive Systems Associates, USA


• Peter Kinsella - Managing Director, Paradigm International Consultancy Training & Development Agency


• Caroline Tomlinson - In Control


• Maurice Harker - Lead Advisor, Housing Options


• Paul Davies - Valuing People Support Team

The conference will take place at the Weston Theatre, Manchester Conference Centre, UMIST, Sackville Street, Manchester M1 3BB, from 10.00 a.m. – 4.30 pm (Registration 9:30 a.m.)

Booking fees are:

• All ASL member organisations: 1 free place


• Additional places for member organisations: £80 per person


• Early Bird* offer to non-member organisation: £120 per person


• Non-member organisations after 1 September: £150 per person

*Must be paid for by 1 September 2008
This includes a choice of two from six available workshops.

For more information, and to book please contact Georgina Breen of United Response.
Email: georgina.breen@unitedresponse.org.uk or Tel: 020 8246 5211.

Bob Tindall, Managing Director of United Response is the Chair of The Association for Supported Living.

Boundless - Connecting Artists exhibition

Three artists who are supported by United Response will have their work shown at a London Gallery this summer.

Boundless - Connecting Artists is a exhibition of work from 25 inspiring artists.

Some of the artists have learning disabilities, learning difficulties, mental health needs, or conditions such as Aspergers Syndrome and dyslexia.

The exhibition hopes to introduce the work of these artists at the exhibition which will feature photography, abstract and figurative painting, drawing, digital art and cartoons.

Four leading learning disability organisations are backing Boundless - Connecting Artists (Choice Support, United Response, Regard Partnership and the Skillnet Group). The aim of the event is to celebrate the work of the artists taking part and to show that disability does not get in the way of talent.

The exhibition takes place at the prestigious Bankside Gallery in London from 21st July to 27th July 2008.

Royal Parks Half Marathon - hurry!

We still have a few places left for the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London!

On 12th October, over 12,500 people will take part in London's first half marathon and you could be part of it. The race will take runners through four Royal Parks, taking in fantastic views of Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Marble Arch and the Royal Albert Hall.

To guarantee your place, please contact pippi.reader@unitedresponse.org.uk - but hurry!

Channel 4 News report about people with learning disabilities excluded online

Today, we were pleased when Channel 4 news ran a story on its 12 o'clock programme about how people with learning disabilities are often excluded from accessing goods, services and even jobs online. We’d been involved in preparing the report so it was good to see some strong messages incorporated.

The report showed some of the assistive technology some people with learning disabilities used with The Rix Centre. Ultimately, the report made it clear that many people are literally excluded. Some people with learning disabilities were interviewed in order to back this up.

The report went on to say that some things that are really easy such as easy read options or simple technical changes are "often not even considered by government or businesses." The website provides a link to our website too which is good.

Go to the television news piece and online article.

Thank you to our Doitforcharity 5K Manchester runners!

A big thank you to all the people who took part in the Doitforcharity 5K run in Manchester on 8th June.

Thank you for taking part and for raising money for United Response.

Letter in The Guardian

A letter from United Response's Chief Executive, Su Sayer was in the letters section of The Guardian today. It responds to the Government's annoucement on social care funding. Su highlights that all of the coverage of the issue so far has focused on elderly care even though many disabled people are seeing their funding being cut too. It says:

"Health secretary Alan Johnson is to be congratulated for highlighting that current funding is not enough to meet the government's own objectives of providing first-class care to those who need it.

So it is unfortunate that all of the media attention focuses only on how this will affect elderly people. There are other groups, such as those with disabilities, whose quality of life is also endangered. Social care is increasingly directed only at those with the most "critical and substantial" needs and those with "mild and moderate" learning disabilities are excluded, reducing their independence and quality of life.

It is important that we hear the voices of everyone affected in the social care debate, including those with disabilities.
Su Sayer
Chief executive, United Response"

To read this and other responses go to The Guardian's letters page on the subject.

Thank you to our Doitforcharity 5K runners!

Congratulations to all our United Response Doitforcharity 5K runners for completing the race in London on Sunday!

We are so grateful for all of your support and for raising such a lot of money for United Response!

We still have some places left for the 5K in Manchester, so if you missed your chance for London, go to www.unitedresponse.org.uk/support-us

Su Sayer interviewed about Employment Summit

Su Sayer has been interviewed by epolitix.com, the website providing up-to-the-minute politics and parliamentary news.

In her interview, she talks about United Response's Employment Summit on May 15th around employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

Read her interview (This takes you to the epolitix site.)

United Response's Employment Summit - limited places still available

There are still some places left for our Employment Summit on 15th May, in London starting from 8.00am onwards.

Part of the event will see the launch of our Supported Employment Policy Report.

The event will focus on the fact that despite the fact that two thirds of people with learning disabilities want to work, less than one in five are given the opportunity. It will explore the barriers people with learning disabilities face in finding employment and ways to support them.

Phil Hope, minister for the third sector, and Susan Scott Parker, chief executive of the Employer's Forum On Disability, will be among the senior spokespeople from the public and private sector, while employers and employees will be sharing their real life experiences. The event is sponsored by Unum.

For a place, please contact Laura.Golland@unitedresponse.org.uk direct.

Every Vote Counts

Our project looking at the voting system, politics and people with learning disabilities was featured in Guardian Society on Wednesday.

The piece highlights findings from a recent survey we carried out, looking at the number of people we support who are voting and the reasons for non-participation.

The survey highlights that while 80% of people supported by United Response are registered to vote, only 16% took part in their last local elections and 20% in the last general elections. The complexity of the the voting system, a lack of accessible information and a dearth of training for councillors, MPs and other political stakeholders, were all highlighted by United Response support workers as key barriers to participation.

Isabel Ros Lopez, UR First Manager, was interviewed by The Guardian about the project. She said:

"People with learning disabilities are citizens too, and we have a social duty and legal responsibility to enable them to take part in the democratic process. The fact that we are not achieving this is a social failure."

Su Sayer, chief executive of United Response, said:

"Political decisions affect the lives of people with learning disabilities in the same way as they affect everyone else - more so in many cases - and yet they continue to be some of the most disenfranchised people in society."

Here's the link to the article http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/apr/30/learningdisability

Thank you to our runners!

Thank you to everyone who ran the Flora London Marathon for United Response yesterday!

And to everyone who came to help out on the day too!

We hope to have some pictures up soon. We'll keep you posted.

Flora London Marathon - Good Luck!

Thank you to all of our 25 runners who will be taking part in the Flora London Marathon this Sunday whilst raising money for United Response at the same time.

Your support is invaluable to our work and we’d like to wish you the best of luck for the big day!

We look forward to seeing you at our post race reception party – where we will treat you to a well deserved shower and massage.

United Response's Employment Summit

Despite the fact that two thirds of people with learning disabilities want to work, less than one in five are given the opportunity.

That's why on May 15th, we will be holding a business breakfast exploring the barriers people with learning disabilities face in finding employment and ways to support them.

Phil Hope, minister for the third sector, and Susan Scott Parker, chief executive of the Employer's Forum On Disability, will be among the senior spokespeople from the public and private sector, while employers and employees will be sharing their real life experiences. The event, sponsored by Unum, will be held in London.

If you would like to know more about the event, you can email laura.golland@unitedresponse.org.uk

Run for Us!

We are looking for people to run for us and to help us fundraise!

We have places for the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London on 12th October and for the Doitforcharity 5K run in Manchester on 8th June or London on 11th May.

We'll support you every step of the way and we can answer any questions you might have!

Register your interest at http://www.unitedresponse.org.uk/support-us

Thanks!

United Response's letter in The Guardian

We had a letter published in The Guardian today.

It's a response to the recent Government announcement that up to 2.6 million people currently claiming incapacity benefit would face “strict testing” in order to encourage them to work.

Here it is in full:

"Dear Sirs,

I think most people would agree that more needs to be done to help people into work. But the current debate only looks at the symptoms (2.6m on incapacity benefits face tough 'back to work' tests, 14th March). One of the root causes could be solved by a simple amendment to the benefits system.

Through our work, we come across many people with learning disabilities or mental health needs, who would like to have a job, but who need to build up their hours slowly in order to gain confidence.

When the minimum wage was first introduced people we support were able to work for 5.5 hours a week, without disruption to their benefits. But over the years increases in the minimum wage have outpaced the disregard. As a result, from this October, even people employed to work as little as 3.5 hours a week will be 5 pence above the £20 disregard, forcing them to cut their hours for the sake of 5p.

Testing will not help the people we support to find work. And unfortunately even providing more employment schemes will not solve the problem on its own. But raising the weekly disregard on earnings, even to £32 a week, could give this often overlooked part of the workforce, their first, but important, step into employment and greater independence.

Yours faithfully

Su Sayer, Chief Executive, United Response"

The Big Event update - success!

The Big Event was great. It was held by In Control, a national organisation which has been piloting the use of individual budgets - or "self-directed support" - among learning disabled people in the UK.

There were dozens of organisations from around the country, as well as people with learning disabilities and their support workers at the event. And they all shared best practice and insights.

We were one of the few organisations invited to host a dedicated room to demonstrate the best of our own work.

We held five sessions during the day, including a workshop by UR Consultants demonstrating how to make information accessible to people with learning disabilities, and sessions on employment, independent living and person-centred active support.

The sessions went down really well! More than 100 people took part in our workshops.

United Response at In Control's Big Event - 13th March

United Response is hosting a room at In Control’s Big Event at the NEC, Birmingham on Thursday, 13th March. We will be running five workshops throughout the day covering: providing individual support; using person-centred tools; community building; how to make business accessible and using an individual approach to move towards employment. Come and say hello!

For more details on the Big Event visit http://www.in-control.org.uk/thebigevent/index.php

Support Us!

We are always looking for people to support us and there are lots of ways for people to do just that. We've been working on that section of our website to make it as easy as possible to get involved, from running events to setting your google homepage..

Go to http://www.unitedresponse.org.uk to get to the support us section.

United Response on BBC !

United Response was featured on BBC Breakfast News this morning and Radio 4's You and Yours this lunchtime.

Both times, the story was about telesupport or telecare as it is also known. This is a system which uses an integrated telephone/video system so that people can connect with other people.

This means that some people can get some care talking into the phone and seeing the person they are talking to. It can be really helpful for people who are living on their own but need support with some daily tasks. It can also put the user in control of when they recieve that support.

We have piloted using telesupport in some of our services and it has worked really well. We are looking for funding to do more.

To read the BBC News story online go to their website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7213684.stm

To listen to the You and Yours piece, go to the listen again section of their website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/progs/listenagain.shtml#y

To find out more about what we are doing, and for Sharon and Emma's story, go to our website at: http://www.unitedresponse.org.uk/press

CSCI report

CSCI (Commission for Social Care) has written a report about the state of social care.

Our Chief Executive, Su Sayer, has said this in response:

"An evaluation of our social care system and its capacity to meet the needs of those with learning disabilities and others is long overdue. Therefore, we welcome today's CSCI report and the Government's announcement that it will be undertaking its own review of provision.

"Anyone who works in social care is aware of the demographic pressures central Government and local authorities are facing, with a rapidly ageing population and reduced availability of informal care. Those of us providing services are realistic about financial costs and aware of our responsibility to ensure best value for money. One way of achieving this may be more flexible and cost effective approaches to support, such as greater use of Supported Living as an alternative to residential care and the use of new technology alongside traditional methods. Indeed, people with learning disabilities are demanding these changes themselves, as they seek more independence.

"We have come a long way over the last 30 years. People with learning disabilities not only have a right to expect an adequate level of support and care, but are gaining confidence in demanding that right. As a society we cannot allow funding to be cut back to only "critical" services. If we do, the clock will be wound back and people will lose the independence they fought so hard to gain."