This page is for adults who have a learning disability. We have lots of links to useful information for you.
Information for you
We can help you understand information we give you. We make some leaflets in Easy Read. We are happy to explain things to you, so you understand. Please ask your social care worker for help.
We can also make letters and information in Large Print. Some of our information is on short films. If you do not speak English, we can translate things into your own language.
Visit our Formatting, Interpretation and Translation Services page
CHAMPS
The CHAMPS produce information in Easy Read. There are forms to fill in for a bus pass, or for social services. There is other Easy Read information about your health.
Cornwall People First
A Charity that works with people with learning disabilities. They have lots of information in Easy Read. They can help organisations to produce things in Easy Read.
Visit Cornwall People First website
Getting help
Getting help from Adult Social Care
You may be able to get support from Adult Social Care. You can find out by having a needs assessment.
Request Adults Needs Assessment
Getting help from the NHS
You can get help from the NHS too. The Adults Learning Disabilities Team can help you get the health support you need.
Read more about NHS Learning Disability Services
Health and wellbeing
Healthy Cornwall has a Learning Disability and Autism Support team. They are called the CHAMPS. Some of them have learning disabilities. Some of them are autistic people. They can tell you about:
- Getting adult social care services
- Getting Easy Read information
- The Safe Places scheme
- Exercise and healthy food
- Friendships, relationships, empowerment and sexual health (FRESH)
- Diabetes
Visit Healthy Cornwall website for more information
Mental Health
You can keep your mind healthy, just like your body. There are lots of things you can do. Mencap has information about mental health and wellbeing.
Visit Mencap page for more information
Discrimination and abuse
Abuse of any kind is wrong. You can report abuse. This can help to stop it. You can make what is called a Safeguarding Referral, if you are concerned about the safety of yourself or another adult. We have an Easy Read leaflet about abuse.
Visit our Safeguarding page If someone is being treated badly because they are disabled, this might be a hate crime. Safer Cornwall has information about hate crimes, and how to report them.
Visit Safer Cornwall websiteMencap has Easy Read information about Safeguarding.
Education and Employment
16+ Education
We have information about what you can do after you leave school.
- Our Transition team can help you move from Children's to Adults services. Visit our Transition and Preparing for Adulthood page
- Cornwall Opportunities Post 16 page has information about jobs as well. Visit Cornwall Opportunities website
- Mencap has information about what to do after you leave school. Visit Mencap website
Employment
Mencap has advice on finding work that you can do, and other training.
Mencap Employment advice and support
Proper Job is for people with learning disabilities and people with autism. They can help you get ready to have a job. They can help you find a job. They run cafes in Cornwall.
Getting out and about
Blue Badge
People with disabilities can sometimes get a Blue Badge, that lets them park for free.
RADAR Key
You may sometimes need to use a disabled toilet when you are not at home. Sometimes these toilets are locked with a special Radar Key.
Changing Places
Changing Places toilets are big enough for people in big motorised wheelchairs to use. They have space for two carers, and they have a hoist.
Find out more on our Changing Places page
Sunflower Lanyard
Some people wear a Sunflower Lanyard to let people know that they have a disability.
Trains and buses
Some people with disabilities can get cheaper train tickets for themselves and a carer.
Find out more about disabled person's railcard
Some disabled people, and all older people, can also get free bus tickets.
Read more on our National Concession Bus Pass page
Things to do
We have help for you to learn new things, or get training, or meet new friends. You can find out more on our Day Opportunities page. You will need to have a Care Act Assessment to help you find out if this is right for you.
There are also charities and local organisations in Cornwall that can help you.
Visit Community Directory page
Your home
You might live with your family, or in a group home. If you need to think about a new home, there are lots of options. If you get support from us, we can help you choose the best place to live. You may be able to get money towards paying for your home from us. Talk to your care worker for more information. If you do not have a care worker, you can ask for an assessment.
If you do not get help from us, there are still lots of places you can live. These are some things you can think about:
- MySafeHome – This is a scheme to help people with disabilities buy their own home
- Advance Housing – homes where you have someone close by who can support you, if you need that
- Homechoice Cornwall – for Housing Association homes, that you can rent
You might need things changing at home to help you move around safely. You can find out more about things to help you on our Accommodation and Housing page. It can tell you about:
- Equipment you can use
- Gadgets to keep you safe
- Different kinds of housing and care you could have
Making your voice heard
The Learning Disabilities Partnership Board
The Learning Disabilities Partnership Board meets four times a year. It has on it:
- people with learning disabilities
- people from their families
- people who work with people with learning disabilities
- charities who work with people with learning disabilities
The Board talks about things that are important to the learning disability community in Cornwall. It is a place where you and your family members can have your say.
Visit our The Learning Disabilities Partnership Board page
Cornwall People First
A Charity that works with people with learning disabilities. They can help you to have your say. They have lots of information in Easy Read. They can help organisations to produce things in Easy Read.
Visit Cornwall People First page
Support organisations
Mencap
A charity that helps people with learning disabilities. They have lots of information on their website - https://www.mencap.org.uk/
disAbility Cornwall
A charity in Cornwall for all people with disabilities - https://www.disabilitycornwall.org.uk/
Cornwall People First
A Charity that works with people with learning disabilities. They have lots of information in Easy Read. They can help organisations to produce things in Easy Read - https://cornwallpeoplefirst.com/
Women's Centre Cornwall - DIVAs project
The DIVAs are a group of women with learning disabilities, neurodiversity and autism. They fight to be treated fairly and with respect - https://www.womenscentrecornwall.org.uk/divas