Healthcare
At the age of 18, health care will typically move from paediatrician to GP and everyone with a Learning Disability and/or Autism aged 14 and over is entitled to an Annual Health check with the GP. They must be on the GP’s Learning Disability register to make sure of this. It is also advisable to create a Health and Care Passport (also known as a ‘hospital passport’ and useful guidelines are here). Ensure that the Reasonable Adjustment flag is in place so that all NHS services are aware (useful information here).
Easy Read (Mencap) Information about the Annual Health Check is here.
Harrogate District Hospital’s Learning Disability Nurse is available to support a hospital stay (before/during) and can be accessed here or on tel 01423 553690. The Community Learning Disability Service for the Harrogate area (for adults) helps people to access mainstream health services as well as supporting the services they provide. It is based in Alexander House in Knaresborough.
The Community Dental Service is available for those whose needs are not met by general dental practices eg in need of longer appointments or more support during treatment. This requires a referral from a dentist, doctor or other health professional. For more specialised eye care use the See Ability link here and for help with NHS costs (including prescriptions) visit this website to check eligibility and apply for the NHS Low income scheme (HC2 partial help and HC3 full help).
Promoting positive mental health is a key part of the Annual Health check. The NHS’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) usually requires a referral from a GP, school or other professional. Waiting lists are usually significant but the website has self help information and signposts other useful services. Local Mind Charity in Harrogate provides support for all young people (11-18) via a drop in session on Wednesdays 3-6pm in the first instance, and more services for those outside this age range are explained at their website.
The STOMP campaign is working to prevent the over medication of people with a Learning Disability and/or Autism with specific reference to psychotropic medicines. This link goes to the Easy Read information.
Developing and maintaining friendships and pursuing engaging activities are key to physical and mental wellbeing for all young people. North Yorkshire Active Health Programme includes opportunities for young people with a Learning Disability and/or Autism to take part in eg specialist swimming and diving lessons, social activities, teen gym, walking groups. Their full Monday – Sunday programme is linked below (activities in bold are those targeted to younger people in transition years) and for further information contact Danni Mullholland, Active Inclusion Lead for Active North Yorkshire (07525988145)
North Yorkshire Active Health Programme
Other opportunities for sport and outdoor activities are listed below; the organisations listed have an offer specifically designed for young people with a Learning Disability and/or Autism. Some are outside of the Harrogate and surrounding area but have been included where they have a unique offer.
Sport/outdoors
Useful national and international links for organisations supporting sport:
- British Cycling Limitless
- International Mixed Ability Sports
- Learning Disability Super League
- Mencap Sport
- Para Olympic Sport
- Special Olympic Sport
- Superhero Triathlon series
Art/Music/Culture
An Access Card is useful for many cultural attractions and venues; it is a photo ID communicating access requirements so that a venue can meet the needs of individual visitors. Currently £15 for 3 years.
Social groups
The link below includes organised activities with a focus on socialising for younger adults and teens.
Holiday providers which support teens/younger adults to go on holiday independently in the UK and overseas are many; those listed below and ones which have been recommended and which have been contacted directly for information. There are many more and they do not need to be local as their pick up points tend to be all around the country.
PHAB have Phab Adventure holidays and static caravans at holiday parks eg in Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland for the whole family.
Wilf Ward Trust offer Bempton Villa and Bempton Beach House in Filey.
Short break funding
Short breaks funding is currently available via the Short Breaks Innovation Fund (2022-2025) in England. North Yorkshire Council is currently reviewing its unassessed short breaks grant for families with disabled children.