I've had a long conversation about this tonight. Let me just tell you a little bit more as I don't know whether I've phrased the title right. Someone I know has a brother with Down's Syndrome, he's in his 50s. He goes to a 'centre' in the week, which his elderly mother pays for, it's about 30 quid a week, whether he goes or not she still has to pay.

Now, years ago, they used to go to a place in Parkgate (I think) where they did things such as stamping prescriptions for doctors or filling envelopes etc. That closed down so now the centre has to find something else for them to do, with so many different people with different levels of disabilities/learning difficulties this is probably very hard, so they end up bowling or at the cinema/library, which again has to be paid for. So as well as the £30 or so a week, there's another £20-£30 for the various activities!

Now this is something very close to my heart, a few of my family members have severe learning difficulties, spina bifida and other things and it's got me thinking about what could be done to make these people feel more 'in' with society. Obviously, the Parkgate thing was a great thing for them and some felt like it was going to work, or the nearest they'd ever get to it. Surely someone has seen this 'gap in the market' so to speak and there is somewhere and something that can be done for such people?? I need to win the lottery and then I'd do it myself!!

It's been so hard to type this thread without saying something someone might take offensively or anything so please bear with me, it's also the first thread I've posted in forever!
I look forward to seeing everyone's replies!

my auntie is mentally and physically handicapped she goes to a centre, has done for decades, tbh im not sure what it costs, or what they do.....but i "think" they work???
i presume like most things they shut down the good schemes and let people pay for stuff themselves like cinema bowling etc to save money?
its the same with kids/youth stuff..always the first to go when they need to save some money

They should be out more often, many of them there lives revolve around 4 walls.If they spend more time out and not just around those with similar problems this would help greatly.

Is Remploy still on the go? Is that for people with learning difficulties?

It is such a shame that everything/schemes has to cost so much, i'm sure there are lots more people who need them, that just can't afford it. Or find anywhere in the first place!

I've had a long conversation about this tonight. Let me just tell you a little bit more as I don't know whether I've phrased the title right. Someone I know has a brother with Down's Syndrome, he's in his 50s. He goes to a 'centre' in the week, which his elderly mother pays for, it's about 30 quid a week, whether he goes or not she still has to pay.

Now, years ago, they used to go to a place in Parkgate (I think) where they did things such as stamping prescriptions for doctors or filling envelopes etc. That closed down so now the centre has to find something else for them to do, with so many different people with different levels of disabilities/learning difficulties this is probably very hard, so they end up bowling or at the cinema/library, which again has to be paid for. So as well as the £30 or so a week, there's another £20-£30 for the various activities!

Now this is something very close to my heart, a few of my family members have severe learning difficulties, spina bifida and other things and it's got me thinking about what could be done to make these people feel more 'in' with society. Obviously, the Parkgate thing was a great thing for them and some felt like it was going to work, or the nearest they'd ever get to it. Surely someone has seen this 'gap in the market' so to speak and there is somewhere and something that can be done for such people?? I need to win the lottery and then I'd do it myself!!

It's been so hard to type this thread without saying something someone might take offensively or anything so please bear with me, it's also the first thread I've posted in forever!
I look forward to seeing everyone's replies!

Basically what has happened is that day services have mainly no ceased. the idea is that people with disabilities will be helped in to work and activities,but of course the level of support they need costs a lot.

What I feel is not recognised is how much it costs in terms of long term staff support.Places such as Autism Plus and Bridge Employment know that the benefits to getting someone in a job are not just beneficial to the individual.It benefits their families, society, the nhs ,the government, sometimes there is a reduction in crime, so there is a ripple effect and it is extremely beneficial.
I believe that unless money is put in for the long term to support people with disabilities, and that includes changing the way that employers and staff think about people with disabilities, then we cannot call ourselves an inclusive and diverse society.People with disabilities have a right to the same choices and opportunities as everyone else. We all just need to recognise it.

Autism Plus are good, they just spend too much time bitching about how they work long hours and have no staff.

I used to have them when they were called Thorne House Services for Autism up to about 17 months ago.

Autism Plus are good, they just spend too much time bitching about how they work long hours and have no staff.

I used to have them when they were called Thorne House Services for Autism up to about 17 months ago.
yes. i guess they also need more money to enable people to get the right support

My experience (12 years in various Social services/charity) tells me that at the end of the day it still comes down to money. Big charities develop programs such as 'photography groups' , 'drama groups' etc. for people with learning disabilities. Simply, they get funding for it. I think it would be better if people with LD received 1:1 support and could attend any group but it is now how things work... well, not always...