Stronger, Louder, Together!
Gary Bourlet – Member and Engagement Lead for Learning Disability England
We speak a lot about what it means to lead good lives but not much about what it means to have a good death.
People find death more difficult to talk about.
To me, a good death would be a death that involves choice. I was able to plan what I wanted to happen before, during and after.
The Representative Body have decided Learning Disability England will stop using the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter).
We do not think that the way X works at the moment fits with the values of Learning Disability England as a movement that champions a rights-based approach based on equality, dignity and fairness.
Gary is one of the Membership and Engagement Leads at Learning Disability England
I had great pleasure recording a podcast with Campaign 4 Change, supported by Achieve Together recently. The podcast is called Wheel of Engagement and this episode will be out to listen to by the end of October so keep an eye out for it!
We had such a productive chat about the Good Lives Framework hosted by Learning Disability England. We concentrated on three of the areas that the framework includes, which were social care, employment and transport. It was a thought-provoking afternoon.
Read more “A Good Lives Framework Podcast – A blog by Gary Bourlet”
Gary Bourlet is 1 of the Membership and Engagement Lead at Learning Disability England.
I first met WECIL in early 2023 at their AGM in Bristol. WECIL stands for West of England Coalition for Independent Living. They are a user led organisation supporting all disabled people to live the life they choose through a fully person-centred approach.
Read more “Sharing Self-Advocacy Experiences and the Good Lives Framework: By Gary Bourlet”
Learning Disability England member representatives, trustees and staff are working towards a Good Life for all people with learning disabilities and their families.
This includes people living safe and valued lives in their community free from discrimination, including racism.
Because the riots have been happening all across the country, we are sharing information and connections with all members to help people understand or cope with what has been happening.
Gary Bourlet is the Membership and Engagement Lead at Learning Disability England, self-advocate and civil rights campaigner.
May seems a long time ago, but I kicked it off in style at Manchester’s Old Trafford along with Membership and Engagement Lead Rachael, to attend the Community Integrated Care’s Best Lives Possible Roadshow.
I enjoyed taking part in a panel discussion called Life Without Limits, along with other self-advocates, families and supporters. Everyone talked about how we make the most out of life and how we achieve our dreams and aspirations to help us live Good Lives.
Kate is a Family Representative of Learning Disability England’s Representative Body.
NHS England’s Children and Young People Quality Transformation Programme workshop
As a family representative on the Members Representative Body at Learning Disability England I went to a workshop about a review NHS England are doing on Children & Young People (Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism) Inpatient Services.
Read more “NHS England Review Workshop – A blog update from Kate Chate”
Gary Bourlet is the Membership and Engagement Lead at Learning Disability England, self-advocate and civil rights campaigner.
On June 21st I had a great time speaking at LDN London’s event with other self-advocates. The event was Spotlight on Learning Disabilities: What Can Success Look Like? I spoke to journalist and author Saba Salman about my experiences of being a self-advocate.
I thought that members of Learning Disability England would be interested to know what we chatted about! So you can read more below.
Read more “Spotlight on Learning Disabilities – Self Advocacy and Success By Gary Bourlet”
There are over 1.5 million people in England with a learning disability who have the right to vote in this year’s General Election on July 4th.
Each political party has a manifesto that tells voters about the policies that they will use to help run the country.
The Good Lives Manifesto created by Learning Disability England members says that elections should be accessible. Making political manifestos into Easy Read format would help people with a learning disability who to decide to vote for.
So far only two parties in England have made Easy Read manifestos – The Green Party and the Liberal Democrats. You can read those here.
Seeking new Trustees to join the Board
The Members Representative Body are working with the Trustees to find 2 people to join the Board.
Kumudu, Liz and Ivan are leading this on behalf of the Members Representative Body.
Learning Disability England wants more people to join as members and to grow the influence of members so people with learning disabilities live Good Lives.
That includes all parts of life like influencing transport, finance, leisure. Community life as well as government policy – all parts of life.
You can read the Trustee information pack and more about the role here.
You can access a Large Print version of the application form here.
The reps and Trustees would really like the 2 new Trustees who bring different skills and experiences to help Learning Disability England’s work include more people and influence all parts of a Good Life for everyone with a learning disability.
It is important to them that the Board includes people from Black, Asian, and minoritised groups and people with learning disabilities and family members.
We welcome applications from people with that lived experience.
The Board would also welcome people with experience of
Applications close at 12pm on Monday 15th July 2024.
To find out more and how you can get involved, please read the Trustee pack here. We look forward to hearing from you!