Supporting people with learning disabilities: the daily council video update

Helping people with learning disabilities through the coronavirus emergency is highlighted in today’s (Monday) daily video update (Vlog) from Buckinghamshire Council Leader Martin Tett.

Joining Martin is Jeremy Hay, CEO of Talkback, an organisation working with the Council supporting people in Buckinghamshire with learning disabilities and autism, who talks about how they are providing valuable online support to help the Covid-19 effort.

Talkback, which works face-to-face with more than 1,000 people, and encourages them to get more involved in their local communities, has quickly developed innovative online ways to engage with them, and to help them to understand the emergency now gripping the country.

Jeremy speaks about Talkback’s new ways of working that support teachers and college tutors helping students, about using technology to work one-to-one with people who have learning disabilities, and about helping them to cope now that lockdown prevents them getting out and about.

He reveals how embracing innovative working has surprised the team and benefited those they’re supporting. “We’ve seen new talents and new skills emerge simply because of the lockdown,” he said. “Like the young man with autism who is now writing and performing his own songs!”

Today’s Vlog can be found at: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/video-updates/

The daily Vlog, supporting the message #ProudofBucks, also provides an opportunity for people to ask questions via social media on how the council is fighting Coronavirus locally, what residents can do to stay safe, and how they can get involved in helping others – using the #askBucksCouncil Twitter hashtag.

Vlogs will also be shared daily on the council’s social media channels.

Daily updates about all council services can be found on the website at: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and-safety/changes-to-our-services-due-coronavirus/