Rebecca, who uses Shared Lives South West services, is celebrating being a Learning Leader!

She is a winner  in the national Dimensions 2019 Learning Disability and Autism Leaders’ List.

It’s the UK’s first national list which recognises people with learning disabilities and autism who are challenging stereotypes. All winners have been working  make communities better for themselves and others.

Rebecca and her Shared Lives South West carer Karen Kelly-Markwick went to the launch event in Birmingham, where Rebecca was nationally recognised for her dedication to ‘Education and Learning.’ It was hosted by Dimensions.

Challenges

Rebecca, who lives in Torbay, is remarkable. She has faced many challenges to make big changes in her life and she is now thriving.

When Rebecca moved in with KC two years ago, she was 17 stone and  3 to 1 in the community. Rebecca was also on high medication. She was also unable to communicate or read or write and was very unhappy.

Since moving in Rebecca has lost five stone, walks the dog independently is having weekly swimming lessons and is living a healthier lifestyle all round.

She has done so well to learn new skills and is having speech and Language improvement sessions each week as well as having reading lessons
With more confidence, Rebecca has enjoyed work experience at Crealy Animal Farm.

She is also a lot more independent and can now catch the bus on her own.
Thanks to Karen’s support she has also come off medication, learnt to cook and change her own bedding. She can also go shopping, do the cleaning and can get her own money from an ATM machine.

Technology

It doesn’t stop there as she has also mastered so many technology tools. Rebecca now uses mobile phone, a tablet as well as Alexa; thanks to Karen being there to guide her.

She is also attending a specialist college where the focus is on functional skills, communication, employ-ability skills, healthy living and independency skills.

Sarah Clarke, Campaigns Manager at Dimensions was complimentary about Rebecca being a Learning Leader.

“We’re incredibly proud to be celebrating Rebecca, whose work is not only challenging perceptions but also inspiring others and showing the world that everyone can make a difference.

“Everyone can learn something from people with learning disabilities and autism. We hope people like Revecca inspire change and demonstrate that we all play an important part – from individuals to decision makers – to make society more inclusive.

“We hope Rebecca inspires others and helps them realise that their ambition – however big or small, can make a real difference.”

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