"Social care has helped me achieve many things" - Introducing Tamika!
We’re delighted to welcome Tamika Wright to the Listen Up programme at SeeAbility!
The Listen Up programme is run by people that SeeAbility support, led by Scott Watkin BEM, who has a learning disability and lots of experience in campaigning and self-advocacy. Together the team campaigns for change for people who have learning disabilities, autism and sight loss.
Scott recently interviewed Tamika and her support worker Kim about their thoughts on why it is important to speak up and have your voice heard, not least because important decisions about social care support and funding are being made every day that affect the lives of people with disabilities.
Watch the interview:
Tamika says:
“I was happy to talk about social care with Scott and the difference it makes to my life. Having social care means I can live with my friends, I can go to work for three days a week and go out on trips. Its not all about just help to get dressed, like some people might think!
Social care has helped me live more independently and achieve many things, which makes me proud and my mum proud too.”
Kim says:
“I find it really rewarding to make a difference in people’s lives, whatever support I am offering, its all about Tamika living her best life. When Tamika achieves something new, I share that achievement. It’s a great job to do.”
Scott, Tamika and Kim also spoke about the cuts to social care and what is needed to change things, with Baroness Casey starting to look at long term reform of adult social care with her Commission. They agreed that understanding of social care needs to change and it to be part of the big picture of what support disabled people need in the 21st century. At the moment many people might feel they would never get support even if they asked for it and some are losing social care meaning they are losing independence and becoming withdrawn.
Tamika says:
“Social care is amazing and great, and people need to be able to get the support they need.”
SeeAbility’s Listen Up! Team has worked on a position statement on social care and has sent this on to the Casey Commission. It is also available in easy read format.
You can also find out how to get involved in sharing your views with the Casey Commission.
You might also be interested in
