A new programme in Kent and Medway is leading the way to empower people with learning disabilities to become leaders, according to an evaluation carried out by researchers from the University of Kent and Canterbury Christchurch University.
The Be A Leader programme is a groundbreaking initiative from Bemix, a social enterprise organisation dedicated to advocating for people with learning disabilities. The programme equips people with learning disabilities with the knowledge and confidence to step into leadership and governance roles.
Over the course of 10 months, participants who took part in the programme undertook training in: history, law, policy, politics, health, education, social care, leadership and governance. A key feature of the programme was its co-learning module, where participants trained alongside a chosen supporter.
An evaluation of the programme, led by Lisa Richardson from the University of Kent in collaboration with Daniel Marsden from Canterbury Christchurch University, and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS), highlights the transformative journey of the people who attended the programme, the importance of inclusivity and recommendations for future iterations of the programme.
It reveals how learners have taken their first steps in embodying leadership through creating a vision and goal and how some individuals have been successful in securing new paid roles for themselves, giving them new opportunities to put into practice what they learnt through the course.
The evaluation report also includes co-produced recommendations aimed at enhancing the course's accessibility, inclusivity and effectiveness.
Ann-Marie Lillis, Non-Executive Director and Self Advocate at Bemix, said:
"As I trainer I felt we gave the people so much confidence to be a leader in the future."
Following the course, the learners have continued to work on their own visions, goals and activities they wish to show leadership in. Some have transitioned in to paid committee roles in local health and care settings or are working in universities teaching future nurses.
The refreshed training offer will support the capacity building of future trainers who will co-deliver the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training in Learning Disabilities and Autism to health and social care professionals in Kent and Medway. Applications are open for people with learning disabilities and autistic people to gain skills to train and lead.
George Matuska, Clinical Lead Learning Disability and Autism- NHS Kent and Medway and Learning Disability and Autism Lead, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, said:
"The idea of bringing together the influence of local citizens and equipping them with the skills to be heard and influence the way our Kent and Medway system works was a dream come true in the first cohort of "Be a Leader." This has led to the opportunity to seek the support of a number of these graduates to help lead us in the development of our healthcare system. It's still early days, but what had once been my voice championing changes from a learned perspective has now become a much louder and more powerful voice coming from our peers with lived experience of our system. I am excited to see this work grow and develop in the years to come."
Lisa Richardson, ARC KSS Co-production Research Associate, said:
"Utilising a bridging award from ARC KSS it has been possible to draw on the evaluation findings to co-design a new tiered approach to the leadership training, thus giving learners more choice and control about how they wish to develop."
Daniel Marsden, Senior Lecturer in Learning Disabilities, Lead for Quality and Evaluation in the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Partnership for Kent and Medway, said:
"Steven and Bemix's dedication to cultivating future leaders will significantly strengthen the expertise of those delivering the Oliver McGowan training in the future. We expect this to have lasting impact on improving the lives of individuals with learning disabilities in Kent and Medway."
You can find out more about the evaluation here.
An Easy Read summary of this evaluation can be found here.
If you want to find out more about the Be A Leader training visit the Bemix Website.
