The attendees and staff at Parkstone Connect Day Centre! We couldn’t have done this project without you!

Bianca Rose, Locality Manager, Tricuro. Bianca is the manager of Parkstone Connect in Poole, a busy day centre providing leisure and learning opportunities for adults with disabilities. The service has a vibrant timetable with a wide range of activities that work towards achieving clients’ individual goals and outcomes.

Dr Sally Lee, Senior Lecturer, Bournemouth University. After more than 20 years in practice working in a range of statutory adult services, Sally is now Programme Lead for the MA and BA Social Work programmes.

Michael Lyne, Senior Lecturer, Bournemouth University. Mike commenced his career as a nursing assistant before qualifying as a nurse in mental health. He worked in the NHS for 15 years before retraining as a social worker. He is currently qualified as a Best Interest Assessor and teaches on the MA (Advanced Mental Health Practice) and is Programme Leader for the MCA Programme, which leads to BIA qualification.

Andrew Morris, Lecturer, Bournemouth University. Andy qualified as a social worker from Bournemouth University in 2007 and began his social work career in the Older Person’s Mental Health Team. He later joined the Learning Disability Team, where he qualified as a practice educator (PE) and a best interests assessor (BIA). He helped set up and managed the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Team and then became qualified as an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP).

Stevie Corbin-Clarke, Research Assistant, Bournemouth University. Stevie is a research assistant across multiple BU research centres, including the NCCDSW and The Centre for Seldom Heard Voices and Marginalized Communities. I have a passion for qualitative research methods and engaging with vulnerable groups and sensitive issues, as well as a keen interest in using innovative methods to disseminate research findings and engage the public.

Lucy Bell and Naomi Turner, Co-directors and Creative Facilitators, Documental Productions. Documental Theatre is an award-winning Devon-based production company.

We established links with Documental Theatre, an award-winning Devon-based production company, directed by Lucy Bell and Naomi Turner. We were led by Lucy and Naomi in the design and development of the details of the project, as they have the expertise in working with adults with learning disabilities in creative ways.

We ran a two-day workshops with adults with learning disabilities and other conditions. The aim was to generate digital stories that can be included in this toolkit to enhance the learning experience for the health/social care user.

We successfully provided a space for the day centre attendees to give voice to their experiences and frustrations regarding decision making.

The participants undertook creative work, such as artwork and drama, to aid in demonstrating their experience of decision making.

It was clear that many participants had been hampered by past experiences, not because of their learning disabilities but because of external forces and attitudes towards them. Participants were able to explore issues, such as daily life, relationships, money, accommodation and medical treatments, in a way that many reflected they had not had an opportunity to do so before.

1. Empowerment of participants in sharing their stories

2. Inclusion of their stories into the existing toolkit

3. Increased awareness amongst professionals of the difficulties and successes people with a learning disability face in everyday life.

We carried out this work as part of a small grant scheme project, funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).