Helping people with learning difficulties LIVE a fulfilling life
26 April 2024
Residents with complex learning disabilities are living a better life thanks to the LIVE team at North Northamptonshire Council.
Since its launch in 2015, the specialist enabling team provides bespoke support for individuals with learning disabilities, and related barriers, to obtain community opportunities and employment, focussing on four key areas: Learning, Independence, Volunteering and Employment – also known as ‘LIVE’, where the team gets its name from.
LIVE raises aspirations and enables people to fulfil their potential and exceed expectations. This has been proven in the last 12 months which saw 21% of LIVE customers start, and sustain, paid employment. This is a sharp increase from 6% when the scheme first started.
Companies and organisations such as Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, GXO Logistics, Greatwell Homes and DHL, to name but a few, have all taken on LIVE customers, where they are flourishing in their new roles.
The hard work and dedication of the LIVE team has resulted in a nomination at this year’s LGC Awards. Taking place on 12 June, the team have been shortlisted in the Community Involvement category. This follows nearly a decade of enabling and supporting adults with complex learning disabilities work towards their learning, independence, volunteering, and employment goals. Promoting positive risk taking, smashing glass ceilings, and challenging stereotypes and myths.
The LIVE scheme has gone from strength to strength since it was launched, and the team are rightly proud of what they have achieved in empowering residents with learning difficulties to live more fulfilling lives. The dedication, from the team and the people they support, has broken the glass ceiling and raised the bar of what these individuals can do.Cllr Gill Mercer, Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing
The council is committed to supporting all members of society, especially those that historically would have been overlooked and underestimated. Where possible, finding paid employment and a place to thrive, is essential to one’s self-worth and mental health. Seeing this increase from where the team started is something to be celebrated, and I thank the LIVE team for making this happen.Jason Smithers, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council
The shortlisting at this year’s LGC Awards is a testament to the LIVE team and everything they do. They stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the other nominees, and I wish them the best of luck. No matter the outcome, they should be proud for being recognised by their peers.
The LIVE team also provides community projects including The Cornerstone, Changing Room, IndiTrav (training pathway) and weekly free clothes rails for families with cost-of-living concerns. The team welcomes donations of unwanted but wearable clothes at the following locations between 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday:
- 6 Harrowden Road (Wellingborough)
- 40 London Road (Kettering, next to swimming pool)
- Unit 2, St Marks Business Centre, St Marks Road (Corby)
Anyone wanting to find out more information or support should contact the team on 01832 742008 or email [email protected].