20 June 2022

CNWL is proud to support Learning Disability Week 2022. Throughout this week, CNWL’s Learning Disability Services will be sharing how they are marking this year’s campaign and highlighting the work they do to support people with a learning disability.

The charity Mencap organise Learning Disability Week every year and you can check out their latest myth busting campaign, where they hear from people with a learning disability who are challenging misconceptions about what life is like living with a learning disability. Click here to find out more.

To start Learning Disability Week 2022, we caught up with David Gedze, Service Director for CNWL’s Learning Disability Services, to talk about why this week is so important:

“Learning Disability Week is important for many reasons, on the professional side, it highlights the great work done by dedicated NHS colleagues who support people with a learning disability - and what we need to do better in terms of support. It also provides the opportunity to remind everyone why working in Learning Disability Services can be very fulfilling and satisfying. The other and extremely important side to Learning Disability Week, is the campaigning which is done to raise awareness about the stigma, prejudgement and discrimination that people with learning disabilities face and how we can challenge it.”

David talks us through how CNWL’s Learning Disability Services support patients:

“We run the Kingswood Centre, an inpatient unit specialising in supporting and treating young people and adults with learning disabilities, who may also have mental health issues or autism. Our site in Brent is set in a therapeutic environment of green spaces with nature walks, a sensory garden and a fish pond. There are three inpatient units: Preston House and Carlton House for adults and Crystal House for children and young people.”

“Our staff work with people with a learning disability and mental health issues to prepare them to live more independently in a community placement or with family.  Our team consists of nurses, trained support workers, arts therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapist, physical exercise coach, speech and language therapist, an independent advocate and administrative staff.”

CNWL works in partnership with local councils across North West London and beyond to ensure people with a learning disability receive a holistic approach to their care.

CNWL is part of Community Learning Disability Teams in Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon and Milton Keynes. This means social workers from local councils are part of the same team as CNWL’s psychologists and therapists. The team visits people in their home or local activity centre.

In central London boroughs, David explains, “We provide an intensive support function that works closely with partners in Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, and Hammersmith & Fulham to provide support people need in the community and prevent the need for hospital admission.”

If you would like any more information on Learning Disability Week, click here.