Celebrating Learning Disability Week: championing voices, and better health for all

Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System (ICB) is supporting Learning Disability Week 2025 (16-22 June), shining a light on the experiences, rights, and aspirations of people with a learning disability.

With the support of Autism Bedfordshire, the ICB is helping NHS staff to listen to those with lived experience, including the voices of the Oliver McGowan Experts with Lived Experience, to continue to drive meaningful change and inclusivity across all areas of health and care.

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism, introduced nationally in 2022 following the death of Oliver McGowan, is a Government-backed programme designed to ensure all health and social care staff receive high-quality, co-delivered training to improve care and reduce health inequalities for people with a learning disability and autistic people.

So far, Autism Bedfordshire has trained 6,700 NHS staff, and Experts with Lived Experience have provided positive feedback on their contributions to the delivery of the training.

For example, George Lepore said, “It has made me feel more confident in myself and in how I express my thoughts to others.”

Cosmin Chis said, “I’ve gained more confidence in speaking in a public setting and I learned how to travel by myself to multiple venues.”

And Shannon-Louise Rice said, “It has helped my confidence and I have more independence. I also enjoy sharing my experiences and have made some friends from this role.”

Rebecca Smith, Administrator of the Oliver McGowan Training, said:

“The Autism Bedfordshire Oliver McGowan Training Team are a close group, and we all support one another and enjoy social meet-ups too. For a few this is their only form of income – in some cases their first experience of working life. It’s an absolute pleasure to work with our experts and see them develop and improve upon their life skills and find other opportunities. One of the key messages with the training is to ‘Ask, Listen, Do’, and our experts feel that, by the end of the training, the participants are doing just that – asking and listening – and for many this feels like the first time their voice has been heard which is truly powerful for both parties.”

Annual health checks

People with a learning disability are more likely to experience certain health conditions and, as a result, are entitled to an annual health check. These checks are a vital opportunity to spot problems early, treat issues quickly, and support people to live longer, healthier lives. From 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, 76.3% of eligible patients across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes received their annual health check – exceeding the national target of 75%.

Dr Andrew Rochford, Medical Director at the ICB, said:

“We’re making strong progress, but this week is also a reminder that our work doesn’t stop at the numbers. Behind every health check is a person – someone with their own story, dreams, and rights. Listening to those with lived experience, especially our Experts by Experience, ensures that care is not only clinically effective but deeply personal and respectful. Learning Disability Week is a time to celebrate people, not just services – and to continue striving for a more inclusive, equitable health system for all.”

Adults and young people aged 14 or over with a learning disability who are on the doctor’s practice learning disability register should be invited by their doctor to attend an annual health check. If your doctor’s practice has not offered you an annual health check, you can ask them if you can have one.

The ICB and Autism Bedfordshire encourage everyone to get involved – to listen, learn, and help spread the message that every voice matters, and every life deserves the best care.

For more information on Oliver McGowan Training, please visit the Autism Bedfordshire website.