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Help and support with the cost of living

The Learning Disabilities Partnership Board

The Salford Learning Disabilities Partnership Board is a group of people who meet to talk about the things that are most important to people with learning disabilities in Salford.

They talk about what is being done to make things better for people with learning disabilities in Salford.

The members are the eight Learning Disabilities Champions and professionals who can make things happen. The chair of the group is the commissioner for services for adults with learning disabilities.

The Listening to People group for adults with learning disabilities talk about the same things as the Partnership Board to make sure they hear the voices of as many people with learning disabilities as possible.

The champions will make sure they tell the Partnership Board what Listening to People members have said.

The Partnership Board has to tell the Learning Disability and Autism Strategy Group about it’s work.

This is where you can find the Salford Learning Disability Partnership Board’s quarterly newsletters with updates about the work being done.

Have your voice heard

Our Listening to People group is a group for any Salford Adult with Learning Disabilities.

We meet face to face on the third Tuesday of every month and on Zoom on the following Thursday.

Find our meetings dates for 2024 and 2025, you can download an easy read version at the bottom of this page or click the following link to see the dates.

Listening to People meetings in 2025

January

  • Tuesday 21 January, 11am to 2pm, Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 23 January, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

February

  • Tuesday 18 February, 11am to 2pm, Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 20 February, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

March

  • Tuesday 18 March, 11am to 2pm, Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 20 March, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

April

  • Tuesday 15 April, 11am to 2pm. Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 17 April, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

May

  • Tuesday 20 May, 11am to 2pm. Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 22 May, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

June

  • Tuesday 17 June, 11am to 2pm, Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 19 June, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

July

  • Tuesday 15 July, 11am to 2pm, Rooms 2 and 3, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 17 July, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

August

  • Tuesday 19 August, 11am to 2pm, Rooms 2 and 3, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 21 August, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

September

  • Tuesday 16 September, 11am to 2pm, Rooms 2 and 3, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 18 September, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

October

  • Tuesday 21 October, 11am to 2pm, Rooms 2 and 3, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 23 October, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

November

  • Tuesday 18 November, 11am to 2pm, Rooms 2 and 3, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 20 November, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

December

  • Tuesday 16 December, 11am to 2pm, Rooms 2 and 3, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 18 December, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

Listening to People meetings in 2026

January

  • Tuesday 20 January, 11am to 2pm, Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 22 January, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

February

  • Tuesday 17 February, 11am to 2pm, Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 19 February, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

March

  • Tuesday 17 March, 11am to 2pm, Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 19 March, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

April

  • Tuesday 21 April, 11am to 2pm, Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 23 April, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

May

  • Tuesday 19 May, 11am to 2pm, Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 21 May, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

June

  • Tuesday 16 June, 11am to 2pm, Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 18 June, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

July

  • Tuesday 21 July, 11am to 2pm, Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 23 July, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

August

  • Tuesday 21 August, 11am to 2pm, Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 23 August, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

September

  • Tuesday 15 September, 11am to 2pm, Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 17 September, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

October

  • Tuesday 20 October, 11am to 2pm, Rooms 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 22 October, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

November

  • Tuesday 17 November, 11am to 2pm, Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 19 November, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

December

  • Tuesday 15 December, 11am to 2pm, Room 1, Walkden Gateway

  • Thursday 17 December, 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Microsoft Teams

Any local adult with learning disabilities will be warmly welcomed but if you need support to stay safe you will need to bring that support with you.

By stay safe I mean support with personal care, eating or drinking or to stay safe with others.

For more information contact Lindsey Brook, email lindsey.brook@salford.gov.uk or phone 07717691617.

Meet the Learning Disabilities Champions

As we redeveloped our Learning Disability Partnership Board here in Salford, we gave some thought to experts by experience involvement. We reflected on what we had done previously and what we know of other areas and we came to the conclusion that, just like professionals, experts by experience do not have expertise or indeed interest in all areas of life.

We decided to try a ‘Champions’ model where experts by experience can champion particular things that are their passions and that align with the priorities for work people and families have told us are key in Salford.

Our champions are local adults with learning disabilities, they sit on out Partnership Board, our ‘Listening to People’ group and the Greater Manchester Confirm and Challenge Group. Each has developed an individual support agreement with our Engagement and Development Officer who provides the support to them they need to participate fully. Our champions are:

Listening to Me Champion, Ms Rose Ainscow

Rose Ainscow, smiling

I would enjoy being the ‘Listening to People’ Champion because I enjoy listening to other people’s problems and help them get through their problems.

They can talk to me any time of the day and I will be there to help them get through their problems I am understanding and they can take their time explaining to me their problems.

I will go to the Partnership Board and lean a lot of them meetings. I will speak up for people’s problems, no matter what they are.

Transport Champion, Mr Scott Lawrie

Scott Lawrie

Hi, my name is Scott, I am 31 years old.

The reason I wanted to be Salford’s Learning Disability Partnership Board Transport Champion is because I want to make people’s lives easier when they need to get on buses, trams and use Ring and Ride. It’s not easy for people who use wheelchairs.

I am a member of a group working to help the Bee Network understand the problems with Ring and Ride and make it better for everyone to get the bookings they want, and the specific times they want, then rather than being out on a waiting list. I have kept Salford Listening to People and the Learning Disability Partnership Board informed about the work that is going on.

Health Champion, Mr Mark Ashton

Mark Ashton

I like the health team in the Community Learning Disabilities Team.

I have worked alongside Mandy, Heather, Kevin and Sam in the past. I have been involved with the epilepsy stall at The Big Health Day, co delivered epilepsy training and now am a member of the Partnership Board.

I thought it would be good to be the Health champion so I could learn more about how things can get better for disabled people in healthcare - that’s what I am hoping for over the next few years that things can get better.

Employment Champion, Ms Amy Carter

Amy Carter

Hi, my name is Amy Carter and I am the employment Champion. I started going to a drama group called DIY theatre company to build my confidence. Before I started DIY I did not give anyone eye contact with but I can give eye contact now and I’ve got a lot more confidence. I run workshops at Springwood Primary School and at Bury college. I’m a fully arts award advisor I use different sensory prop.

I wanted to be a role champion because I can talk to people, do presentations and lead workshops, I led at a conference in Liverpool.

I have had lived experience of being paid at Salford Royal when I was working has a domestic worker. I used to love it but then I left because I left they were giving me all the worst jobs, like cleaning the toilets, – I don’t mind taking my turn at the worst jobs but then I was on the toilets all the time and then I went in to one of the toilets and there was lots of needles on the floor. I also work at the Lowry one session a week, supporting a drama session called YES drama I will be starting to do a bit of paid training through DIY soon.

I am good at talking to people I am good at getting on with people and getting them involved I talk to people when they are upset I’ve got good listening skills, good eye contact, good communication skills and good ideas.

Supporting Me Champion, Mr Keith Henry Johnson

Keith Henry Johnson

My name is Keith Henry Johnson and I am the ‘Supporting Me’ Champion. I have motivation, drive, guts and determination.

I want to help services for disabled people go forwards. I think everything should be accessible for people who use wheelchairs and other disabled people.

All services should treat everybody with respect, they should really listen to what people want and help them live the lives they want.

I work on behalf of the ‘Listening to People’ group, I am really proud to represent them.

Homes Champion, Ms Anne-Marie Dillon

Anne-Marie Dillon

Hi, I’m Anne-Marie and I wanted to have a go at being the Homes Champion because I thought I could do a good job at it.

Talking to other people with learning disabilities at other meetings and social clubs has helped me understand what they are going through. Talking to professionals has helped me make sure they understand what people with learning disabilities are going through and what they want.

Going to the Partnership Board really helps as well. I can listen to what everybody else is saying and I have the chance to say what I want to. I want to help co-chair the Partnership Board meetings to make sure they run in a way that works for everybody.

I have lived in different kinds of homes with different kinds of support and that helps me to understand how people live how they might want to live and the different kinds of support they could have. 

There are currently two vacant champions:

  • Early Support and Education (vacant)

  • Justice System (vacant)

The champions system has been in place since Spring 2023 and we will continue to learn from their experiences and develop it over time.

Listening to families

We are a support and action group run by, and for, family members and friends of any adult in Salford who has a Learning Disability.

We are a very informal, friendly, and flexible group, who offer and share emotional and practical advice and support around the condition our loved ones are living with, the services they receive, and the impact having a family member with Learning Disabilities can have on family life.

We understand each other’s experiences, good or bad. In between meetings we get together socially, for fun, relaxation and further support. We help each other as much as we can.

We are fortunate to have been able to invite a wide range of professionals to our meetings, and to have the consistent, on-going support from the Carers Social Worker. We link to the Learning Disabilities Partnership Board through our Champion.

We welcome new members and also want to create new links.

If you think you would like to visit us (with no expectation) you would be very welcome to attend one of our meetings.

We meet on the first Tuesday of every month. We start with a social support session 11am to 12pm, then stop for lunch, followed by a business/ action meeting and sometimes visitors 12.45pm to 2.30pm.

We meet at Humphrey Booth Resource Centre, 16-18 Worsley Road, Swinton, M27 5WW (meet in foyer/ cafe)

For more information and a response within one week contact Elaine Billings, Carers Social Worker and support to the group: email elaine.billings@nca.nhs.uk or call 0752 393 0454.

Downloadable documents

Newsletters

Easy read meeting dates

Easy read meeting notes

Other

If you are unable to view documents of these types, our downloads page provides links to viewing software.

This page was last updated on 1 September 2026

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