Something New Is Starting — And You’re Invited

Ruth Germaine is launching Co-creation Learning Sessions, and she wants you to know about them.

Whether you have lived experience of learning disabilities or autism, whether you are a family member, or whether you work in services, this is for you.


What Are Co-creation Learning Sessions?

These are sessions where staff learn with and from people with lived experience.

In these sessions:

  • Everyone’s voice matters — not just the professionals
  • We work together to make services better
  • People with learning disabilities, autistic people, families, and staff are all part of the learning

Why Is Ruth Doing This?

Ruth wants to understand what good co-creation really looks like in practice.

Co-creation means working with people — not doing things to people.

It means listening. It means learning. It means sharing ideas together.


When Does It Start?

The sessions will begin in May.

This is a pilot — which means Ruth is trying it out first, to see what works well and what needs to change before making it bigger.


Would You Like to Get Involved?

Ruth is looking for people who might want to:

Join the sessions

Support the sessions

Watch and listen — just to see what it is like

This could be you, or someone you know.

To get involved, contact Ruth directly:

📧 Ruth Germaine ruth.germaine@reflectiveruthconsultancy.com


What Happens After the First Sessions?

After the first few sessions, Ruth will bring people back together to talk about:

  • What we learned
  • What people need next
  • How we can keep improving

A Message From Ruth

“We hope these sessions will be a welcoming space where everyone can learn together — whatever your background or experience. I would love to hear from you.”

💙 Ruth Germaine | ruth.germaine@reflectiveruthconsultancy.com

Learning That Listens: Reflections from the So Who Cares Anyway Podcast

Episode 39 of So Who Cares Anyway shares powerful insights from an NIHR Knowledge Mobilisation Fellowship on supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people. Key messages resonate strongly with our work: staff must not only know but feel and understand; trust is rebuilt through action, not words; and meaningful inclusion is never tokenistic. We’re delighted to have supported Ruth in this important project. Well worth a listen!

Urgent: Oliver McGowan Trainer Opportunity in Kent and Medway

 

Bemix, Aucademy and Kent Autistic Trust are seeking trainers with lived experience of learning disabilities to deliver Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training. This part-time role (5.5-16.5 hours weekly, £15.88/hour) starts 16th December 2025, ending March 2026. Please see the job pack below.

Essential: You must have a learning disability and experience using health/social care services.

Critical deadlines:

  • Applications close: Sunday 7th December (midnight)
  • Interviews: Friday 12th December in Canterbury
  • References must be arranged before 16th December

Apply here or email recruitment@bemix.org

Please share widely within your networks. Contact Isabelle or bemix office with questions.

Forward Together Project in Kent and Medway

Yesterday, we hosted Taylor Anderson and Polly Somervell from the Challenging Behaviour Foundation’s Forward Together project. Their presentation to our Kent, Surrey, Sussex LD Community of Practice demonstrated how regional networks can drive real change for people with learning disabilities and behaviours that challenge.

Watch the YouTube film and view the slides to see how they’re bringing family carers and professionals together, with 115 members already in Kent and Medway tackling transition, early years, older carers, and crisis support.

 

Their “End the Cliff Edge” campaign for named transition coordinators deserves your attention.

Get involved: forwardtogether@thecbf.org.uk

Five Essential Rights for Meaningful Lives: A Practical Guide for Our Community

This latest paper is a fantastic resource for everyone supporting people with learning disabilities across the South East. It champions five key occupational rights that map out what great practice looks like.

What Are These Rights About?

Simply put, these rights are designed to make sure we’re all making reasonable adjustments so that the people we support can easily take part in the activities and routines that truly matter to them.

These aren’t just theoretical ideas—they’re a practical tool! Their goal is to help people with learning disabilities live the fulfilled lives they deserve.

Who is this Guide for?

This resource is for all of us in the support network:

  • Families and Carers

  • Support Staff and Providers

  • Professionals

  • Commissioners

It gives us a shared understanding and a clear roadmap for how to best support meaningful engagement in daily life.

How Can We Use Them?

The rights help us in two key ways:

  1. Spotting the Good Stuff: They provide a benchmark for what good occupational engagement looks like so we can easily recognise and celebrate when it’s happening!

  2. Knowing When to Ask for Help: The framework also makes it clearer when and how to get specialist support to effectively enable and promote occupation in someone’s life.

Check the Royal College of Occupational Therapists website for more details.