Two videos featuring members of Bexley Mencap’s self-advocacy Respect group were launched at a special presentation at NHS Oxleas on 30 July. Made jointly with students from London Southeast college and Oxleas Learning Disability Psychology team, the overall aim of the videos is to improve the health and well-being of people with a learning disability, by showcasing members taking part in activities they enjoy and also to help signpost people with how best to get help, if needed.
One video shows members sharing the different ways they like to relax, while the other goes through the different stages of going for Therapy. Respect members planned the videos themselves, did the accompanying voice overs and took an active part in the filmed role plays.
The project started back in 2021 when four members shared their experiences of going to Therapy, to help other people within the learning disability community.
This was then published in book form entitled Peter and Friends with help from the Psychology Team at Oxleas NHS.
In 2023, the Respect group then put together their top 10 tips for going to Therapy which they shared with the Oxleas team.
Jane, the Respect Group’s Support Worker said;
‘We have worked together with the Oxleas psychology team on this important project for the last few years. It has been fantastic to see members being at the heart and leading from start to finish, from sharing their experiences, to launching 2 videos.’
Respect group members were keen to contribute and came up with lots of ideas about what they like to do to relax.
Matt is a keen gardener, so he chose being in Mencap’s own allotment as one way he likes to relax. Emanuele and Chris decided that being filmed exercising in the park was a good way to show viewers how they liked to relax. Taking part in arts and crafts, like drawing and colouring was another favourite way to relax and Nimisha shared her love of doing puzzles. Jodie likes to take it easy by listening to music on her ipad, while Sam finds cooking and baking relaxing.
Made with help from London Southeast College, commentaries were provided by Liam and Sarah and Bexley Mencap members from the Carlton Road day centre also took part in the video.
The second video they made covered going through the different stages of going to Therapy – to help other people know what to expect and to make it easier to ask for help. Matt helped with the role play and Adam and Sarah provided voice overs.
There was a lot of positive feedback from the project from those who took part.
The project also provided an invaluable learning experience for students as to how to provide the best clinical support for people with a learning disability.
One commented:
‘I found it interesting to see how other people different to me would think and learn. Getting to know more about them was a wonderful experience.’
Another agreed saying; ‘It added to my experience on how to treat people with respect without hurting their feelings and being patient.’
All those who took part in the project said that working alongside and learning from each other’s shared experiences helped in getting a better understanding of what might be the barriers to better heath and coming up with ways to overcome them.
Respect member Adam said;
‘It has been an eye opener. We have all been working together, Oxleas, students from the college and us. We have all come together with all of our different experiences.’
Nimisha said she enjoyed making the videos and putting it all together. Through making the videos she says she now feels more confident in asking for help and what to expect from Therapy and how it can help someone who might need some support. ‘It’s important to know how to get help,’ she says. ‘That’s what the video is all about.’
Also present at the launch was the Chief Executive of NHS Oxleas, Trustees and the members of the clinical psychology and Learning Disability team. All the Respect members who helped in putting together the educational videos received certificates of thanks.
The videos are now being presented to the Board of Trustees.
And it doesn’t stop there. Jane and the Respect team have been asked to present the project to a prestigious IASSIDD conference (International Association of Scientific Study of Intellectual and Development Disabilities) at the University of Greenwich on 1st September, to promote the health and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities.