Together again! - National Forum 2022

Claps and cheers marked the opening of the CrossReach Learning Disability Services National Forum as customers from across Scotland assembled together for the first time in 3 years.

After shout-outs to all the services present from Willy and Lesley (Eskmills), the Celebrating Achievements Day got underway with the Church Moderator suggesting they got rid of his long title for the day and just call him Iain. He delighted the gathering when he told them he had been born in Drumchapel, Glasgow, even receiving a round of applause, but failed to impress with his admission of supporting Partick Thistle!

“It’s great to see all of you here today and it’s great to feel the enthusiasm that’s here, to see all you guys taking such an important part in this.”

Both Viv Dickenson, CEO CrossReach, and Vic Walker, Director of Adult Care Services, were invited to answer some questions posed by customers Margaret and Russell, including where they saw CrossReach in 5 years’ time. Both agreed that they wanted to hear about service innovations, what was going well and what could be improved. 

Vic Walker commented that “there is a great need for support, for services, through co-creation, to grow, adapt and thrive.”

In addition, both Viv Dickenson and Vic Walker mentioned the upcoming National Care Service and how it would dramatically impact the delivery and provision of social care. When asked by the services ‘how can we help you’, Viv Dickenson said; 

“The National Care Service will bring a huge change in social care, and there’s a very important way you can help. Parliament is saying they want people who use social care services to tell us what they need for the future. It’s called “a group for people with lived experience of social care” and they’re very interested in hearing what you’ve got to say about what the future should look like.”

CrossReach as an organisation has signed up to be part of this feedback initiative, however, Viv Dickenson urged;

“You’re more important, you’re the people who use the services, and your voice should be heard most loudly. If the Govt are going to do that (?) we need to make sure they’re going to do it well and do it properly, and you can help us achieve that.”

Participants were then offered a Presenting with Confidence course; a 2-day course “to support you to be able to speak up for yourself.”

The morning was finished off with a moving performance by The Makaton Choir signing “It’s a Wonderful World” and was followed in the afternoon by crafts, music and pampering. A great day was had by all!

If you are interested in starting a career in social care, our learning disabilities services in Edinburgh and Glasgow have a range of vacancies including relief and part-time positions.