It has been an interesting few weeks regarding several aspects of inclusion.
Last week I attended an event led by Essex County Council and the Alzheimer’s society aimed at creating more dementia inclusive activities across the county.
Dementia is an ever growing incapacity with over 20,000 residents living with it now aged over 64 and with that number expected to grow by 50% in the next decade. We expect the number of 80's to grow by 60% with up to one third having dementia in a few years’ time. There are at least 10,000 people of working age similarly living with Dementia.
Inclusive communities are those where individuals and groups come together how they best understand the needs of those with Dementia and those who care for them.
There are so many aspects of this, and communities can make a huge difference.
Together in Sound and Signing for the brain are just two ventures to enable those to enjoy inclusive musical events to which they look forward and thoroughly enjoy, while giving their cares a break. I have asked Essex rotary clubs to help me create a comprehensive register of what is available where.
I also went to the Children in Care Council where care leavers made the case for care leaver status being a protected characteristic. It was fascinating and disturbing to learn just how many ways unintentional or intentional discrimination can occur effecting young people who have already injured the trauma of being separated from families by being placed in care.
Meanwhile, as a blind person myself, I appreciate the myriad of ways in which people can feel excluded for lots of reasons.
Across children’s services and adult social care, our mission is to make sure people of all ages get the support they need and at Essex County Council we truly care. Our work on creating a county which is fully inclusive needs to be at the forefront but ultimately the main difference will be made in the communities in which of us live. I fully support the work of our caring communities commission and invite all leaders both to understand their remit and to offer their inputs
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