We have now reached the end of the second and final year of the project
for bereaved people with learning disabilities and can look back with pleasure
on the vast amount of knowledge that has been acquired in this period.
What's been done
A leaflet has been produced in large print for people with mild to moderate
learning disabilities. It includes some simple line drawings to assist comprehension
and has been distributed around Brent.
Courses have been devised and set up for professionals and carers which will
be run in the autumn.
A team of volunteers has been trained and is working with clients. The team
has regular supervision and a peer support group.
What's
been achieved
We have had a slow but steady trickle of clients who have been referred by carers,
GPs or themselves
Assessment visits are made on all prospective clients to look at the bereavement
history, the ability and communication level of the client so that they can
be matched closely with a volunteer.
There is close monitoring of all aspects of the project to allow for potential
problems to be easily resolved
A steep learning curve has been climbed by all involved in the project.
Who's
done what
As Project Manager, I have bean carrying out assessment visits, monitoring,
training and publicity.
Bereavement Counselors: Richard Adam, Maria Atassi, Bridie Donoghy, Maxine Johnson,
Indra Hawkins, Audine Hawley, Rosemary Menelaou, Jacque Reynolds, Tinu Thomas,
have been working with our clients.
Sue Read, Senior Nurse Tutor, Keele University, has been our consultant.
Rohini Barnes and Jackie Selby-MacLeod have supervised the Bereavement Counselors.
Dr Linda Machin, Hon Research Fellow, Keele University, is the independent evaluator
for The Kings Fund.
Where
to from here?
We need time for the evaluation to be completed to prove the worth of the project
and the manual developed by Sue Read which we are piloting.
A positive outcome: the project is to be integrated into the main service which
ends any marginalisation of the clients and guarantees that bereaved people
in Brent, of every ability level, will be supported.
My thanks are due to each of these people, to our clients for the enormous experience
and opportunities which they have given me and the others who have worked with
them, to Paulo and Valerie for the opportunity to work for this service and,
of course, to The Kings Fund for making all this possible.
Carole Lambert