Monday 31 May marks ten years since Panorama exposed the horrific abuse at Winterbourne View. Whilst this may have been the first exposure of this horrendous treatment of people with a learning disability and/or autism, it has not been the last.
Right now there are many people still caught up in a revolving door system of 'treatment' or failed placements. The reality is, however, that the very same behaviour people are placed into long-stay hospitals for, is most often the person's only way of communicating what they want and need from the people whose job it is to support them.
MacIntyre is proud to be supporting people to move out of this system and into their own homes and equally proud to be developing creative support activity and networks that prevent and proactively stop the need for the use of such provisions in the first place. This is why we are supporting the #winterbourne10 silent vigil taking place on Monday 31 May. We are asking that you take part too.
On Monday, place a light or lamp in your window to remember how over 2,000 people are still being held in secure hospital settings, instead of having the chance to live in their own home and instead of building a life that makes sense to them and their families.
You can also show your support by heading to @RightfulLives on Twitter and printing off one of their posters. You can take a picture of you with the poster or light and post it online using the hashtags #winterbourne10.
Sam’s story, which you can watch below, is just one example of how people can live a life that makes sense to them in their own homes and not in a hospital.
Quite simply, there is an alternative.
Sarah Kilby
Positive Behaviour Support Lead at MacIntyre
