At LD:NorthEast we have always been passionate about reducing the inequalities faced by people who have a learning disability when accessing health services, and removing some of the barriers to people attending health related appointments. Our Health & Wellbeing Project aims to drive down those inequalities and improve access by providing light touch support to help people look after their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
The project makes a real difference to so many of the people we support and we are excited to announce that we have received further funding from North Tyneside CGG to continue our work.
We provide support and signposting to people who have a particular health or wellbeing need, delivers a range of interactive workshops on health related topics, provides support to communicate key public health messages and produces a range of Easy Read resources to help people understand how to look after their health.
We are also excited to announce that from this autumn we will be running a structured education programme for people who have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. The programme will take place over seven weeks and will help to improve people’s understanding of how to manage their diabetes.
The workshops will be delivered by our Diabetes Educator Frances, who is currently working towards her accreditation and developing all of the resources for the programme. Frances has worked in the Community Outreach Team at LD:NorthEast for several years now and after completing her Masters Degree in Social Work she developed a particular interest in health and wellbeing, and we are delighted that she has now joined our Health Team.
Frances said “I am really proud to be working on the Type 2 Diabetes project for LD NorthEast. Diabetes disproportionately effects people with a learning disability. However, it is a particularly complex condition to understand. I am producing this 7 week programme not only to inform participants about Type 2 Diabetes but to offer encouragement as they learn to live with it. I am very excited start the workshops in September”
If you would like to know more about the Diabetes Education Programme you can contact Frances on or at frances.skinner@ldne.org.uk
