For over 50 years, The Camden Society has been helping people with a learning disability to live the lives they choose.
For most of the 20th century, people with a learning disability were hidden away from society, sent to live in long-stay institutions and excluded from mainstream life. Now they are able to play a more active role in mainstream society. However, there is still a long way to go:
- 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability
- only six out of 100 are in paid employment
- nine out of 10 have been the victims of bullying.
Even today, people with a learning disability are unable to find the jobs that they want and are capable of doing. Many lack the confidence to form the relationships, both social and intimate, that are so central to all our lives. They have to confront discrimination, bullying and a lack of understanding about their disability – at work, in public, and as they go about their daily lives.
Our wide range of services has been developed by listening to people with a learning disability, and their carers, and responding to their wishes. For some people, this means support to find a job, apprenticeship or training course. For others, we enable them to continue living independently by helping them to do their weekly shop or pay their bills, We provide a safe space for people to make friends, try new activities and discuss issues that are important to them. We help people to take up sport, learn how to buy and cook healthy food, and use public transport with confidence so they can get out and explore their community.
Without the right level of support, there is a greater chance of people with a learning disability being forced back towards living institutionalised, dependent and unfulfilling lives. They may lose the freedom to do the activities they enjoy, listen to the music they prefer, even choose what to wear or when to eat. Removing anyone’s independence, and therefore freedom, can lead to depression, loneliness and isolation.