Working Together with Parents with Learning Disabilities Network
The parents with learning disabilities network is aimed at both parents with learning disabilities and their supporters. There are usually more parents than supporters at meetings, with a mix of information sharing, discussing relevant issues and sharing experiences and worries. The meeting splits into 2 groups of parents and supporters for an hour or so; the supporters are told to 'go and do the boring bits while we talk and have a laugh'. The reasons people give for coming to the meetings are:
- To meet other parents
- To plan our conference
- To meet people who have gone through similar things
- Everyone feels strongly they want to make things better for parents with learning disabilities
- To talk about important things - there is nowhere else to talk about parents
- To meet new people and get advice from other parents
- It helps build confidence to speak up
- To know you are not alone
Contact
The network has separate meetings in both North and South Wales. If you are interested in joining the parents network please contact Simon Rose at Learning Disability Wales - click here for contact details.
Recent Activities
Here are the minutes of our latest meeting in Swansea. Click here>>(Opens in new window)
Useful information
Here is a selection of useful information from other organisations.
Norah Fry Research Centre – lots of useful information. Click here>> (Opens in new window)
I you have anything you would like to share on this page call Simon on 029 20681160
National Parents Network Website
The Working Together with Parents with Learning Disabilities Network has it's main website at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/norahfry/right-support/index_html - here you can find more about the work of the network and some useful resources for parents with a learning disability.
Network member's story (1)
“I had three children when I was in my twenties.
“They were taken from me by social workers when they were one, two, and five years old. They were taken from me at Christmas. They only had half an hour to open their presents.
“They are eleven, twelve and fifteen now. They have all had their names changed. I send them birthday and Christmas cards every year. The cards are put in a box - my daughters can have the cards if they ask for them. My middle daughter asked for her cards this year. The solicitor said I mustn't get my hopes up.
“When I lost my children I started harming myself. I nearly had a breakdown. They wanted me to go to hospital but my Mum said "No!", and she looked after me. I built myself back up again.”
Network member's story (2)
“I have two children. My oldest one is fine, no problem. My youngest has a learning disability. He also has hearing problems, and he's always hyper! I've got a funny feeling he's got ADHD.
“Being a parent has been quite difficult. Doing homework with the children has been tough, but I've been getting on better since going to college to learn reading and writing. Anyone who has the same problems as me with reading and writing should join a college course - it really helps.
“I get some support from social services - they can be pretty helpful, but they can be annoying sometimes too! They can be helpful supporting me to keep the house tidy and cook healthy meals for the family. They can be annoying when they try to tell me what to do and how to run my life!
“If there's one thing I would change it would be to take away my son's disabilities. That would make it easier for me to cope.”
Research Project
Learning Disability Wales are conducting research into the numbers of parents with learning disabilities in Wales, the support they currently receive and what makes good support for parents in Wales.
