Learning disability support

Overview

A learning disability is usually the result of a life-long condition that starts before adulthood. Learning disabilities can occur as a result of genetic or developmental factors, or damage to the brain, often at birth. They affect a person’s level of intellectual functioning, usually permanently, and may also affect their physical development.

Learning disabilities tend to be fairly fixed, and often cannot be treated or controlled with medication or other therapies. However, much can be done to help people with learning disabilities to make use of their abilities and to achieve the best possible quality of life.

People with learning disabilities are more vulnerable to mental health problems than the general population. The tabs above give details of organisations that provide support and further information about learning disabilty.

For people with mental health problems and learning disabilities

Organisations for people with both learning disabilities and mental health problems

Estia Centre
Munro - Guy’s Hospital
66 Snowsfields 
London SE1 3SS
tel: 020 3228 9742
web: estiacentre.org
A training, research and development resource for those who support adults with learning disabilities and additional mental health needs.

Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities (FPLD)
9th Floor, Sea Containers House,
20 Upper Ground
London SE1 9QB
web: learningdisabilities.org.uk
Part of the Mental Health Foundation, the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities works to promote the rights, quality of life and opportunities of people with learning disabilities and their families, by working with people with learning disabilities, their families and the people who support them. The FPLD is the leading UK charity researching learning disabilities issues.

The Judith Trust
tel: 020 7266 1073
web: judithtrust.org.uk
The Judith Trust supports multidisciplinary, preventive and innovative approaches to help those with learning disabilities and mental health problems and to improve their quality of life.

Turning Point
Standon House, 21 Mansell Street
London E1 8AA
tel: 020 7481 7600
web: turning-point.co.uk
Turning Point is a social care organisation, working in the areas of substance misuse, mental health and learning disability.

United Response
Vantage House, 1 Weir Road 
Wimbledon Park 
London SW19 8UX
tel: 020 8246 5200
unitedresponse.org.uk 
A national charity that supports people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and physical disabilities to take control of their lives.

For people with learning disabilities

Organisations for people with learning disabilities 

Association for Real Change
England
ARC House, Marsden Street
Chesterfield 
Derbyshire S40 1JY
tel: 01246 555 043
web: arcuk.org.uk

Wales
ARC Cymru 
PO Box 189 
Bangor LL57 9BU
Membership organisation supporting providers of services to people with a learning disability to promote real change.

British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD)
Campion House, Green Street 
Kidderminster DY10 1JL
tel: 01562 723010
email: enquiries@bild.org.uk 
web: bild.org.uk 
National charity committed to improving quality of life for people with learning disabilities. Provides publications and training services for organisations and individuals, and supports advocacy.

Change
Unit 41, Shine 
Harehills Road 
Leeds LS8 5HS
tel 0113 388 0011
website:  changepeople.co.uk   
Change is a national organisation run by disabled people that works for the rights of all people with learning disabilities, including those who are deaf or blind.

The Elfrida Society
34 Islington Park Street 
London N1 1PX
tel: 020 7359 7443
web: elfrida.com
Leading charity aiming to make it possible for people with learning difficulties to manage as much of their lives as they want and feel able to.

Livability
(formerly John Grooms and the Shaftesbury Society)
tel: 020 7452 2000
livability.org.uk
Christian organisation providing care services for people with disabilities all over England and Wales.

Mencap
England: 
123 Golden Lane 
London EC1Y 0RT
tel: 020 7454 0454
Helpline: 0808 808 1111
Mencap Direct (to find local Mencap services): 0300 333 1111

Mencap Cymru: 
31 Lambourne Crescent 
Cardiff Business Park 
Llanishen 
Cardiff CF14 5GF
tel: 029 2074 7588
web: mencap.org.uk
Mencap provide a variety of services including support with housing, education, employment and leisure activities.

People First
F173 Riverside Business Park 
Haldane Place 
London SW18 4UQ
tel. 020 8874 1377
web: peoplefirstltd.com
Organisation run by and for people with learning difficulties to raise awareness of and campaign for the rights of people with learning difficulties and to support self advocacy groups across the country.

Prospects
Prospects for People with Learning Disabilities
69 Honey End Lane 
Reading RG30 4EL
tel: 0118 950 8781
web: prospects.org.uk
Prospect is a Christian voluntary organisation that values and supports people with learning disabilities so that they can live life to the full.

Real Life Options
web: reallifeoptions.org
Aims to provide self-directed support that puts people with learning disabilities in control of their own lives and maximises their independence and social inclusion.

Abuse

Organisations addressing abuse

Ann Craft Trust
The Ann Craft Trust Centre for Social Work
University of Nottingham 
University Park 
Nottingham NG7 2RD
tel: 0115 951 5400
web: anncrafttrust.org
Working with staff in the statutory, independent and voluntary sectors to protect people with learning disabilities who may be at risk from abuse.

Respond
3rd Floor, 24-32 Stephenson Way
London, NW1 2HD
Tel: 020 7383 0700 ~
Helpline: 0808 808 0700 
web: www.respond.org.uk
Works with children and adults with learning disabilities who have experienced abuse or trauma, as well as those who have abused others, through psychotherapy, advocacy, campaigning and other support. Respond also aims to prevent abuse by providing training, consultancy and research.

Other contacts

General organisations

Carers UK
20 Great Dover Street 
London, SE1 4LX
Adviceline 0808 808 7777 
web: carersuk.org

Carers Wales
tel: 02920 81 1370
web: carersuk.org
Branches throughout the UK. Provides information and support for carers on subjects such as benefits, residential care, respite care.

Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
England
tel: 0845 604 6610 
textphone: 0845 604 6620
Wales
tel: 0845 604 8810 
textphone: 0845 604 8820
web: equalityhumanrights.com
Has a statutory remit to promote and monitor human rights; and to protect, enforce and promote equality across the seven "protected" grounds - age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation and gender reassignment. 

Royal College of Psychiatrists
rcpsych.ac.uk/publications/booksbeyondwords
Books Beyond Words are written for people who cannot read or have difficulty reading. These communicate simple, explicit messages through stories using coloured pictures that include mime and body language. Topics include going to the doctor, bereavement, sexual abuse and depression.  Some of the titles are available online.

Useful websites

Clear Thoughts
clearthoughts.info 
Website on mental health for people with a learning disability, their families and carers, and professionals and support workers.

Understanding intellectual disability and health
intellectualdisability.info
This website was developed as a collaboration between the Division of Mental Health at St George’s, University of London and the Down’s Syndrome Association.

Net Buddy 
netbuddy.org.uk
A website where parents, carers and professionals working with learning disability can share practical tips and information on everything from brushing teeth to managing challenging behaviour.

Learning Disability Coalition
www.mencap.org.uk
Coalition of 15 organisations whose aim is to make sure there is enough public funding for people with a learning disability so they have the same life chances and choices as everyone else.

The Norah Fry Research Centre
bris.ac.uk/Depts/NorahFry
Part of the University of Bristol’s Department of Mental Health. The Norah Fry Research Centre researches issues affecting the lives of disabled children and adults with learning difficulties and their families and, through their research findings, aims to influence policy, improve services and support, empower and inform service users, families and professionals.

One for us
oneforus.com
A website for people who have a learning difficulty, described as ‘not for carers or parents, it’s for you’.

Welsh Assembly

Welsh assembly

• Information in English
• Information in Welsh