General Update

Hi, it’s Kerry here, talking about my week. Last Monday evening I met with my colleagues Emily and Laura, to talk about what’s important for our members at People First Dorset (PFD), in how we can support everyone better and what our priorities need to be going forward. We did this over a bite to eat, which was fun. Also by doing it in a relaxed atmosphere and making it a social occasion, it really helped us come up with some good  outcomes.

Over the past year, we’ve definitely seen more worries from members -  things like difficulties with unexpected changes to necessary benefits, cybercrime, housing issues or managing friendships and relationships. With more members struggling, our team has had to working extra hard over the last year, supporting many of our peer group friends outside of our regular groups.

Another thing I did on Friday, was going on the Freedom Boat. It was a little rocky, thanks to a strong wind, but I always enjoy it, even with the bumps. Today, writing this on a wet Sunday afternoon, I’m thinking of heading to the cinema to watch “I Swear,” about Tourettes Syndrome. It follows the story of John Davidson, who has Tourettes and the challenges he’s experienced, and how he’s overcome them. He’s had 3 documentares made about him, but this film captures his whole life. I think it will be really interesting and good to see how he’s coped.

Next week, I’ll be writing more about the Tribal Flow fundraising event, raising money for PFD, on Sunday 2^nd November at 10am, in Charlton Down. It’s a fun women-only exercise dance class (fun, even if you have two left feet) and then a Sound Bath to chill. To book, check out menopause-reset.com, so ladies, put the date in your diary now!

The writers of the Our View column are supported in their editing by People First Dorset - a charity led and run by people with learning disabilities with support from staff