A learning disability affects the way a person learns new things in any area of life. It affects the way they understand information and how they communicate.
This means they can have difficulty:
- understanding new or complex information
- learning new skills
- coping independently
A person with some form of learning disability will know that everyday activities like work, education and jobs around the house can be a challenge. The person may experience prejudice from other people who don't understand about learning disabilities, or feel lonely because they don't have anyone to talk to.
Are you a carer for someone with a learning disability?
A carer has personal experience of caring for someone with a learning disability who is usually a family member, but may also be a friend. A carer is a person who is not paid to have a personal, continuous relationship with a family member who has a learning disability. The person a carer supports may live at home with them, or live elsewhere
Carers’ assessments – a way to access the support you may need
As a carer you may provide support with many things including personal care, helping someone to get out and about, emotional support, support with money matters and advocacy.
Caring for someone may affect parts of your everyday life, for example, your health and emotional wellbeing, your ability to access to training and work or the time you have to yourself.
If caring for someone is having an impact, you may want to consider having a Carers' Assessment. This is an opportunity for you to talk about your caring role and what needs you may have so you can get the right sort of help to assist you.
If you would like further information about support for you, or would like to find out if you can have a carers' assessment, please contact the Adult Learning Disability Team on 0300 300 8100.
Family Carer Support and Information Group (Dunstable and Biggleswade)
These groups are for family carers of adults with a learning disability. The Family Carer Support and Information Group provides family carers with the opportunity to:
- meet with other family carers to share information and support in a relaxed atmosphere over refreshments
- listen to guest speakers of their choosing
- share their views about Adult Care Services
Dunstable Group
The Dunstable group meet on the third Friday of each month between 10:30am and 12:30pm at:
Dunstable Methodist Church
The Square
Dunstable
LU6 3SN
Biggleswade Group
The Biggleswade group meets the second Tuesday of each month between 10:30am to 12:30 pm at:
The Weatherley Centre Eagle Farm Road
Biggleswade
SG18 8JH
For further information about this group, and other local carer support groups, please contact the Adult Learning Disability Team on 0300 300 8100.