Services

Learning disabilities

We offer services to people with learning disabilities and mental health needs who require specialist assessment and treatment. We are committed to promoting wellbeing and supporting service users, families and carers.

What is a learning disability?

A learning disability affects the way a person understands information and how they communicate. Around 1.5 million people in the UK have one. This means they can have difficulty:

understanding new or complex information
learning new skills
coping independently

It is thought that up to 350,000 people have severe learning disabilities. This figure is increasing.

Getting help

Our teams and services

Information for carers

Further help and support

News

Treatment options

Information for Professionals

Related conditions

Getting help

There are lots of ways we can support you in living with a learning disability.

Our Community Learning Disability Teams (CLDT) provide specialist health care services for people with learning disabilities to enable and support them to participate in daily activities and increase or maintain levels of independence.

We also work closely with GP’s, education, housing, hospitals, community adult, care directorate, children’s services, day centres, mental health services, advocacy and respite services and voluntary services.

Find out more about the team who can help you in the ‘Our teams and services’ section below.

Living with a learning disability

Information for patients and carers on the wider aspects of living with a mental health condition.

Five Ways to Wellbeing

At any given time, 1 in 4 of us will be experiencing a mental health issue. Some of the most common mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety and stress, can be relieved by following some simple steps called the Five Ways to Wellbeing.

Connect with people – your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Speaking to people over the telephone or online can help, but there’s nothing like being in the company of others to boost your mood.
Get active – take a walk, go cycling, join a dance class, go swimming or play a game of football. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life. Anything that raises your heart rate – even cleaning the house – can help.
Keep learning – give yourself a sense of achievement and a new confidence. Why not sign up for that cooking course, start learning to play a musical instrument, learn a new language, or figure out how to fix your bike?
Give – even the smallest act can count – whether it’s a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you make new friends.
Be mindful – be more aware of the present moment, including your feelings and thoughts, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness ‘mindfulness’ and it can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

These are proven techniques to help boost your general wellbeing and they are things we can all incorporate into our daily lives. If you want to make your mental health and wellbeing a priority, following these steps is a good place to start.

Employment

Our Vocational Services team can help you to find work. Find out more here.

Medical records

You are entitled to see the information held in your health record. You do not have to tell us why you want to see your records.

If you wish to see a copy of your health record, please ask the person providing your care or write to: Head of Health Records, Rikenel, Montpellier, Gloucester GL1 1LY.

In your letter, give:

your name
address
date of birth
any other information which would help locate your file

Please note: there may be a charge for this service.

If you think that information in your health records may not be accurate, please notify us in writing.

Medication

Our Choice and Medication website helps you make a decision about medication and some treatments. The Trust’s pharmacy service supports staff, service users and carers in achieving safe and effective medicines management. For more information, please visit our Choice and Medication website.

Smoking

Did you know?

Smoking is the primary reason for the 10 to 20 year shortened life expectancy for people with a mental health disorder. Smoking causes cancer, cardio vascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
People with mental health conditions consume 42 per cent of all tobacco bought in the UK
Many think smoking is a mood enhancer – in fact it causes depression, stress and anxiety
Smokers have a 79 per cent increased risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease

These are just some of the reasons why cutting down or giving up smoking altogether can have a huge impact on improving your health and wellbeing.

How to get help quitting

If you are one of our service users, ask to speak to a Smokefree Champion or Quit Advisor
If you live in Gloucestershire, visit hlsglos.org or ring 0800 122 3788
You can also call the national Smokefree helpline on 0800 022 4332 (Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm)
GPs can provide advice and prescriptions for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products and most surgeries have nurses who offer a stop smoking service
The national Smokefree website includes a wide range of support options and advice