We helped find out how people’s lives were affected during the coronavirus pandemic.
This study involved researchers and organisations across the UK to find out and report on how coronavirus is affecting the lives of people with a learning disability. It was funded by UK Research and Innovation.
Phase 1 – October 2020 to February 2021
We want to thank the many people who have helped us in the first phase of the study. Sincere thanks go to people with a learning disability who have been interviewed, the people and organisations who have helped to find people, their supporters, friends and family carers. You can read the easy read summary of the findings of phase 1 here (PDF). You can also read about the event we held to share the phase 1 findings here.
Phase 2 – April to June 2021
An overview of the findings, including easy read briefings is available here. We also held an event to share the findings of phase 2 that included presentations from the Chair of the Learning Disability Ministerial Advisory Group, Joe Powell Chief Executive of All Wales People First and Wayne Crocker Director of Mencap Cymru followed by a group discussion.
Phase 3 – July to August 2021
We did not recruit anyone new to this phase of the study as researchers only interviewed those who took part in phases 1 and 2. An overview of the findings, including easy read briefings is available here. In September the study team hosted a question time event involving a panel of representatives from the 5 partner organisations involved in the study who answered questions from attendees on a variety of issues.
Final report
The study published its final report in February 2022. You can read a summary of the findings as well as the full report and easy read version here.
Phase 4 – May 2022 to January 2023
Further funding was secured to carry out a fourth phase of research across the UK to find out how people with a learning disability and families who took part in the original study are managing as the UK recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read the report of the findings of phase 4, including an easy read summary here.
Why was the study carried out?
Coronavirus led to changes for all of us. New social rules and changes in our day to day lives were not always easy to live with. How were the lives of people with learning disabilities changed and how did they feel about this? We wanted to find out from people and then share what we found out with policy makers, services and people themselves regularly during the year.
Who carried out the study in Wales?
In Wales researchers from the University of South Wales and Cardiff University carried out the study with help from Learning Disability Wales, the All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers and All Wales People First.
- The researchers interviewed over 350 people with a learning disability in Wales.
- Some adults with learning disabilities could not talk to researchers so they spoke to nearly 200 family carers or paid support staff who could tell researchers about what has happened to those people too.
- The researchers interviewed people 3 times during the year. For example online, face to face (virtual) or by telephone.
- Questions were about about their wellbeing, health, social life, their services, the issues worrying them and how coronavirus affected their lives.
More information
Easy Read briefing on the study can be found here
Information about the UK-wide study can be found on the website.
Video by Ffion, Chair of Caerphilly People First
Video by Sophie, Co-Chair of the Learning Disability Ministerial Advisory Group
Video by Gerraint, Lead Ambassador for Engage to Change
What we found out from the first part of the study September 2020 to March 2021
To find out more about the study contact:
University of South Wales: Professor Stuart Todd stuart.todd@southwales.ac.uk and Edward Oloidi edward.oloidi@southwales.ac.uk
Cardiff University: Dr. Stephen Beyer beyer@cardiff.ac.uk
Learning Disability Wales: Sam Williams 029 20681160 samantha.williams@ldw.org.uk
All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers: Phone 02920 811120 or 07976 223992 or email Josh Law: josh@allwalelesforum.org.uk or Gwen Anslow gwen@allwalesforum.org.uk
All Wales People First: Tracey Drew tracey@allwalespeople1st.co.uk or phone 07956 082211.
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