The University of Winchester hosted the 21st annual Positive Choices conference for future Learning Disability (LD) Nurses and the event was rated one of the most inclusive, inspiring and joyful yet.
Much of the credit is due to the university’s LD nursing students who played a major role in organising the two-day event which put the very people they support front and centre in an imaginative programme of workshops and inclusive meaningful activity
Jo Welch, Senior Lecturer in LD Nursing at the University, praised the students’ efforts: “They worked together to ensure everyone was involved and planned the entire event whilst still studying and undertaking placements. This was an exceptional achievement.”
The students were prompted by feedback from the 2024 conference, held in Belfast. That event was praised for providing a great opportunity to meet people with a learning disability, but it was also thought these people could have been given a more central role.
As a result, the Winchester conference included sessions co-produced and led by students and individuals with live with a learning disability.
Makasong, a signing choir (pictured top) opened the conference with a performance of The Farm’s All Together Now which set the tone for the proceedings to follow.
The choir reappeared throughout the event as flash mobs and taught the whole conference a number of songs which were performed later the second day. The Inclusive Teaching (IT) Matters team supported the making of a Makaton video featuring conference attendees entitled We-care-about-your-care .
Time2Shine, a charity which runs high-quality employment projects for people who are socially excluded ran a ‘Question Time’. Sue Hill, a University of Winchester Fellow, was excited to ask why we used Makaton. Sue also opened the conferences sharing her experiences and career.
Actor Tommy Jessop, star of Line of Duty and founder of Winchester’s Blue Apple Theatre, spoke via video, about his autobiography A Life Worth Living and his determination that people living with Down’s Syndrome fulfil their potential. Tommy also provided copies of his book to share as prizes with students
Peter and friends shared their unique and inclusive approach to publishing, providing a place for people with learning disabilities and autism, as well as families and carers, to tell their stories and become published authors.
The RCN Foundation also joined the message to enhancing the lives of individual with learning disabilities
Actor Sally Phillips (star of Miranda, Smack the Pony, and the Bridget Jones movies) who is the mother of a young man with a learning disability joined the conference online to share a version of 'IF' demonstrating the importance of resilience.
Sharon Paley came all the way from Australia to talk about her experiences of being a learning disability nurse and sharing wisdom from her mum to: “Go into the world and do well. But more importantly go into the world and do good".
Talks were interspersed with Zumba sessions to keep people loose after lengthy periods of sitting.
The conference culminated with a party held in Winchester Students’ Union nightclub, the Vault, to celebrate the success of the two days.
LD Nursing students who helped organise the conference
Jo Welch concluded: “I am so proud of every learning disability nurse student learners who shared their own time and planned and co-produced this event. They welcomed people to Winchester to share their passion and experiences making this an incredible event, the value of which will stay with people for a long time.”
One of those attending was Aiden who is autistic. He said: “I have never felt so welcomed and included. Here I am at a conference with other people just being me. Here I am at a nightclub where I am accepted for being me. The organisation the students have been so amazing, thank you for letting me be here.”
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