Covid Stories from the Learning Disabled Community

Our Project ‘Covid Stories from the Learning Disability Community’ has collected the stories of 25 people with learning disabilities during the Covid-19 pandemic and the recovery phase. We are now moving on from the pandemic, but we think it’s important to share what life has been like for many people with learning disabilities.

The project began in September 2021 with funding from the National Lottery. Our aim was to record the experiences of local people with learning disabilities during the pandemic. We particularly wanted to reach people who had lost touch with Speak Out over the last few years.

The pandemic created challenges for many people, but it hit people with learning disabilities particularly hard, highlighting the inequalities they face in their everyday lives. National research has reported huge health inequalities, reduced social care support, extreme isolation, and mental health problems.

People we interviewed told us life during Covid was very difficult, and some were worried about getting back out into the community.

People also told us inspiring stories of resilience and the creative ways they found to cope through lockdowns and help each other.