Building closer community connections Local MP Dr Tania Mathias delighted staff and residents at two homes in Twickenham on Thursday, December 8 when she popped in for a mince pie and a cup of tea.

People with learning disabilities have been living at the home in Cross Street, Hampton Hill for many years and The Lodge in Whitton opened earlier this year, providing supported living to local people with complex learning disabilities and autism.

Aisling Duffy CEO and Eleri Ebenezer Chair of the Board of Certitude, the organisation which provides support to people with learning disabilities and mental health needs in Richmond and more widely across London, talked to Dr Mathias about the staff’s commitment to supporting people to live the best life they can.

Dr Mathias – who is an NHS doctor herself – was particularly interested in understanding how people with challenging behaviour and very complex needs can be supported to be active in the local community.

Staff at The Lodge had prepared a short video for Dr Mathias which demonstrated the progress one person has made since moving in, in February.

She was clearly moved by the video and impressed by the changes which had taken place under Certitude’s “transforming care” approach.

Aisling Duffy comments: “It was lovely to have a visit from a local MP who was so genuinely interested in what we are doing. The team at The Lodge are really inspiring and we are delighted with the progress people have made in their lives in such a short time. People with learning disabilities have much to contribute and benefit from living within their local communities. However, there is a lot more we can all do to ensure adults with learning disabilities are better understood and able to live a more fulfilling life, connected within the wider community.” 

Based on information supplied by Paula Scott.