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Ageing with a learning disability: self-building peer support to combat loneliness and social isolation
- Authors:
- POWER Andrew, BARTLETT Ruth
- Journal article citation:
- Generations Review, 26(2), 2016, pp.23-27.
- Publisher:
- British Society of Gerontology
This article summarises findings from a small scale study to look at whether peer-advocacy support can help reduce loneliness and social isolation in adults who are ageing with learning disabilities. The context for the study was an increase in the numbers of people with learning disabilities who are more vulnerable to social isolation due to reductions in the provision of day services, both due to cuts in funding and the personalisation agenda. The study was co-designed with two self-advocates with learning disabilities and two professional advocates. A total of 12 interviews with participants in two age groups: 40-55 and 55+ were conducted. The study identified a small range of local peer-support groups around the urban region where the study took place which enabled people to meet other self-advocates who they felt comfortable with. As well as relieving feelings of loneliness and isolation; the groups offered participants the opportunity to learn new skill and participate in the community. (Edited publisher abstract)
Peer advocacy in a personalized landscape: the role of peer support in a context of individualized support and austerity
- Authors:
- POWER Andrew, BARTLETT Ruth, HALL Edward
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 20(2), 2016, pp.183-193.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Whilst personalisation offers the promise of more choice and control and wider participation in the community, the reality in the United Kingdom has been hampered by local council cuts and a decline in formal services. This has left many people with intellectual disabilities feeling dislocated from collective forms of support (Needham, 2015). Drawing on a co-researched study undertaken with and by persons with intellectual disabilities, the authors examined what role peer advocacy can play in filling this gap in support in a context of reduced day services, austerity and individualized support. The findings reveal that peer advocacy can help people reconnect in the face of declining services, problem-solve issues and informally learn knowledge and skills needed to participate in the community. It is argued argue that peer advocacy offers a vital role in enabling people to take up many of the opportunities afforded by personalisation. (Edited publisher abstract)