At the beginning of 2020, the Scottish Mental Health Law Review carried out a consultation for Phase 1 of the review. People First (Scotland) met with the chair of the review, John Scott, on a number of occasions and submitted a written response to the consultation. The Review has now published a summary of the various responses that were gathered.

We were disappointed to see that the summary makes no mention of the contributions and views that People First provided. Although John Scott kindly reassured us that learning disability issues would be included in the next report, the Law and Human Rights Group have decided to go ahead with our alternative summary to address this. You can read our version by clicking on the hand symbol below.

(Please note that the summary is not in Easy Read format. It has been developed with the intention of influencing professionals and decision-makers and is aimed at them)

The Scottish Government have made a number of changes to the Lockdown rules throughout July. This is because the number of people with Coronavirus continues to go down. Places are starting to open up again but they may feel quite different because of new hygiene measures in place. You may be asked to provide your name and contact details when you visit certain places. You can read about some of the changes by clicking on the hand symbol below.

NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect service helps to stop the Covid-19 virus from being passed from one person to another. It works by testing people who have symptoms of the virus. If they do have the virus then all the people they have had close contact with will be contacted and asked to isolate. People First have created some Easy Read information about this. You can read it by clicking on the hand symbol below.

Learning Disability Week 2020 was from the 18th – 24th May and this year was a little different. People First (Scotland) had been planning an event but this could not go ahead. Instead, we held a series of video calls to discuss the issues that are important to us. We looked at the words and labels that are used to describe people with a Learning Disability and the decisions that are often made by others, particularly with regards to housing. You can read more about this by clicking on the hand symbol below.

People First (Scotland) have created some Easy Read information about Domestic Abuse in partnership with the Scottish Commission for Learning Disability and Scottish Government. If you are experiencing Domestic Abuse, or are worried about someone that is, then remember that you are not alone and help is available. You can read more by clicking on the hand symbol below.

As well as Easy Read information about Domestic Abuse, we have also created information about Coercive and Controlling behaviour and where to find help. You can read more by clicking on the hand symbol below.

The spread of the Coronavirus has had a big impact on all of our lives, in many different ways.

The UK and Scottish Government have passed emergency legislation and guidance relating to the Coronavirus and this will affect the lives of people with a Learning Disability.

The Law and Human Rights Group of People First (Scotland) have written a statement about this new emergency legislation. You can read it by clicking on the hand symbol below.

The Coronavirus crisis is having a big impact on the lives of people with a Learning Disability. There are lots of things that are changing including the way Social Care is delivered. We have created an Easy Read document to describe how Social Care support is being impacted. You can read this by clicking on the hand symbol below.

The spread of Coronavirus has meant that lots of things have changed very quickly and it can be hard to follow everything that is going on. There are even new words and phrases to get used to. We have made an Easy Read document to describe what ‘Furlough’ means. You can read it by clicking on the hand symbol below.