Press Release
20th January 2009
United Response comments on Valuing People Now strategy
Valuing People Now is an important and wide ranging paper and has the potential to transform the life experience of people with learning disabilities.
We particularly welcome its explicit inclusion of many groups who have historically been most isolated within our society, including those with complex needs and people from black and ethnic minorities with learning disabilities.
The challenge now is for everyone involved in the lives of people with learning disabilities to work together to translate these objectives into reality. It is good to see recognition of the role of families and carers, and the need to make the best use of their skills and knowledge. But it is equally important that those who do not have such support networks are not denied the opportunity for more independence and choice - everyone, including those with the most complex needs, should benefit from the objectives outlined in Valuing People Now.
We also believe in giving everyone the chance to live a fulfilling life as part of their community, including opportunities to work and enjoy leisure and social activities. We want to see these opportunities made available to everyone, including people with mild to moderate needs who may not be known to services. Sadly, we hear of too many cases of people leaving college and ending up stuck by themselves at home with no support and nothing to do, leading to boredom, mental health and other problems. It is therefore essential that support for people with learning disabilities is properly funded even in these difficult economic circumstances, so that they get the chance to live the kind of life others take for granted.
Finally, it is clear that the government alone cannot achieve everything that is in Valuing People Now. All of us need to understand the potential contribution all people with disabilities can play in our society. Only then will people with learning disabilities finally lead what Alan Johnson describes as "full, independent lives as equal citizens."
Go to the full Valuing People Now strategy
Ends
For more information, please contact Sarah Bartlett or Jaime Gill in the United Response Press Office on020 8246 5237 or 020 8246 5122 or emailsarah.bartlett@unitedresponse.org.uk or jaime.gill@unitedresponse.org.uk
Notes to editors
United Response is a top 100 charity operating in England and Wales, providing a range of support and services for more than 1,500 people with learning disabilities, mental health needs or physical disabilities. We employ over 2,000 people across the organisation and have won many awards for our pioneering work since being founded in 1973.
Our mission is to enable people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and physical disabilities to take control of their lives.
Our vision is a society where disabled people are equal participants and have access to the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
The services we provide depend on each person we work with. We can provide 24-hour support for people with profound physical needs, or just a few hours for those who need less support to live their lives. We can job coach someone into meaningful paid employment. We can provide outreach support for someone with a mental health need or help people who find it difficult to communicate by making information more accessible. The key to our success is that we work with each person to do the things they want to do, supporting them to communicate what they want and tell us how we are doing.
In support of our vision, we also campaign to improve the lives of people with disabilities in society. This may mean lobbying decision makers such as MPs to ensure that people’s voices are heard or it might mean working directly with disabled people so that they can be more directly engaged in the democratic process. We also work with employers to ensure that more people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and physical disabilities get a fair opportunity to work.
In 2008 alone, we were shortlisted as best employer in the Third Sector Excellence Awards and highly commended for our Annual Report. We also won a highly prestigious National Training Award for the investment we make in our staff.