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policy

as well as what rights people have. It has it more among people with learning
examples of work that people are already Good Lives: Building disabilities as well as policymakers and
doing that is brilliant or important. And Change Together make sure those with learning
some ideas for change that anyone can disabilities and their families always
start to use now or campaign for together. The framework has six key areas: have an equal voice around the table
Scott Watkin BEM, paid supporter rep l A home l Spread the word about the framework
body co-chair, explains: “This framework l Communication and staying among your networks.
gives all organisations and workers a connected Lisa Hopkins, chief executive of SeeAbility
co-produced reference point for action l The right support and an LDE trustee, explains why it matters:
they can take straight away or be part of l To love and be loved “We all know people still aren’t living the
developing wider policy change. It gives l Effective voice – self-advocacy/ lives they choose everywhere, that people
us all the chance to work towards advocacy don’t have the rights, choice, inclusion and
something together.” l Employment and contribution independence that we all expect, and that
The first session at the 2022 LDE active citizenship is still a pipe dream for
conference was when Good Lives: Building many people with learning disabilities.
Change Together went live. Since then, organisation contribute in the ways they “The unique thing about LDE is who
people have been looking at ways they best can. So what might you do to turn the actually runs it – it’s not really the chief
can get involved and contribute to make framework into real change so all people executive. It’s really run by the
Good Lives a reality. with learning disabilities can live good representative body made up of self-
Wendy Burt, co-chair of the family and lives? Do you have a particular interest in advocates, families, and professionals.
friends rep body, says: “As a family your area? Do you have things you or your "It is the strength of their collective
member of someone with a learning group want to share or make happen? voice that I believe will change things for
disability, I know how important fun, Gary Bourlet, membership and the better and will be the difference we’re
friendships, love and work are to a good engagement lead, has been looking at all desperate to see.”
life. It is not only day-to-day support I some of the things members are doing: SeeAbility is starting to use the Good
want for my sons but also a rich life with “Me and Rachael [Hall], my fellow Lives framework in a number of ways.
the same ups and downs as anyone else.” membership and engagement lead, have “It has given us some ideas for action
been having smaller meetings with and we’re working with people we
Making it a reality individual members to talk to them about support to use it as part of our own
Good Lives will become a reality only if work they have been doing that links to quality of life strategy,” says Hopkins.
every individual, every group and every Good Lives. We have also been giving “We’re using it to shape our auditing
other ideas on how tool to help identify if people we’re here
they might get to serve are living a good life. We’re also
more involved. borrowing ideas of excellence from
“Many members elsewhere so that we can get better in all
and partners, that we do.”
Creating including Adass People with learning disabilities, who

opportunities [Association of SeeAbility supports or are colleagues,
Directors of Adult
have also commented on the framework.
“Hurrah for change! Hurrah for more
for happiness Social Services] and good lives! Hurrah for LDE!”
the LGA [Local
Government “This shows how LDE brings all of its
Association], have members together and creates a bigger
Choice Support is a national, all been really eager voice which is needed more than ever.”
innovative social care charity to bring about “I really hope this is our time and that
that supports autistic action and are everything changes so that we all have a
people and people who talking about it with good life.”
have a learning disability their teams and
or a mental health need. at meetings.” Action is critical
Here are some Hopkins adds: “That, in short, is why I’m
Our support is based
on understanding ideas from LDE both a personal member of LDE and an
people’s hopes and members for small organisational member, and it’s why I urge
dreams, as well things that you can you all to engage with Good Lives.
as their needs, do straight away: “This stuff is important. In fact, at the
so we provide l Work in a more moment, it’s easy to argue that it’s critical.
opportunities that collaborative and Together, we are stronger.” n
people really want. co-productive way l Good lives: building change together. Full
l Turn plans into version: https://tinyurl.com/2p6heknm
Find out more: action l Black and white version: https://tinyurl.
www.choicesupport.org.uk l Make reasonable com/yr8kmv5u
adjustments in your
l Plain English summary: https://tinyurl.
Choicesupport Choice_Support organisation com/4exh8k3r
l Grow self- l Join LDE and be part of the movement
advocacy: promote for change: https://tinyurl.com/yckk53d
www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 35 No 4 | Summer 2022 15