Sheffield City Council has provided a major update on the ‘Hear Our Voice’ plans, which was first produced in 2022.
The strategy was created with the aim of improving the everyday lives of people in Sheffield who have learning disabilities, including those with a physical disability, sensory impairment or autism.
The plans were created in collaboration with the Learning Disability Partnership board, and through the group Sheffield Voices the voices of more than 500 people have been made an integral part of the strategy with a significant number of developments still to be made by 2030.
Catherine Bunten, Deputy Director of Adult Social Services, said: “We work closely with Sheffield Voices to try to offer multiple different ways for people to become involved and have their voice heard.
“We do have relatively good diversity and diverse representation on that board but there are still some communities who we feel we need to hear more from, so that is work that is happening as we renegotiate the priorities for the Sheffield voices project in 25/26.”
So far, the programme has overseen collaborative work with Housing and Adult Social Care teams to increase support for people with multiple disadvantages who need emergency support, as well as the creation of ‘Safe Space’ provisions and more overnight short breaks for different needs in three Sheffield locations.
The programme has also seen more support provided for people with autism, with the intent to have more businesses providing volunteering and work opportunities with tailored accessibility support.
Barriers to travel are being explored so that they can be removed where possible, and there are now 130 providers for supported living, activities outside the home and overnight short breaks.
Councillor Angela Argenzio, Chair of the Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee said: “This is an area of challenge for not just Sheffield City Council but all councils in the country, so it’s good to see that there are certain things that we are doing really really well.”
Overall, the plan aims to ensure the views of people with a learning disability and their families and carers drive change, as well as improving the experience and life chances of those living with a learning disability.
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