A group of adults with learning disabilities recently found out how to tell their life stories at a workshop organised by East Kent Mencap, in partnership with Canterbury Christchurch University, East Kent Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust and Jan Walmsley Associates (JWA).
During the workshop, which was held at Canterbury Christchurch University’s Broadstairs campus, the group looked at other people’s life stories to get an idea of how they could tell theirs.
One of the stories the group looked at was Joyce Marsh’s, an East Kent Mencap tenant whose experience of telling her life story inspired the charity’s Supporting People Enablement Team (SPET) to organise the workshop.
SPET Manager, Suzanne Derham, said: “People with a learning disability have often led hidden lives, and without this opportunity to tell their stories, their history and experiences will be lost for future generations. Life story work is a great opportunity for people to have their voices heard and their lives valued.
“The workshop was very inspiring and we hope to secure funding for further life story work in the near future. Many thanks to Cathy Bernal from Canterbury Christchurch University, Daniel Marsden from East Kent Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust and Jan Walmsley from JWA.”
[Siobhan Rose O’Gorman]
