This week (10-16 May) is Scottish Learning Disability Week.
Each year NHS Lanarkshire supports Scottish Learning Disability Week and this year the focus centres on relationships.
We all know about the importance of having other people in our lives. It does not matter who they are: family, neighbours or partners – relationships matter.
However, we also know that leaving the house and socialising can often be more of a challenge for people with learning disabilities.
The effects of the pandemic have magnified this and many people may have felt more isolated during the lockdowns.
Karen McCaffrey, associate nurse director for mental health and learning disability services, Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: “This year’s Scottish Learning Disability Week has carried more resonance than ever before.
“We’re highlighting the issues people with learning disabilities can face around relationships, encouraging people to have more open conversations around relationships and focusing on the importance of relationships in all our lives.
“For some people with learning disabilities it can be challenging to make and meet new people without being supported to do so.
“Despite all the roadblocks the pandemic has thrown in our way we have continued to work with our service users to help them strengthen relationships and safely make new ones.”
For more information visit: https://www.scld.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/A4-Easy-Read-Information-Sheet-2021_website-version.pdf
