Page 6 - Community Living Magazine 34-3

letters
Letters

Write to Community Living  simonjarrett1@outlook.com f @communityLivingMagazine t @CommLiving Mag_ Letters may be edited

Our chance to improve inspections Terry Smith – a sad loss Meader’s view
and make services open Terry Smith, an actor with the Impact
The Restraint Reduction Network Closed Theatre Company who played a role in the
Cultures Steering Group is helping the long-stay hospital scenes in Netflix series
Care Quality Commission (CQC) to The Crown, died recently.
improve how it inspects assessment and Terry had the best time filming the
treatment units and inpatient, residential Crown and made a great impression on
and other services, based on lived both cast members and crew. It was one
experience of them. of his ambitions to act on TV and we are
The CQC has asked the Restraint so grateful that he got to achieve it.
Reduction Network to make a specific Another ambition of Terry’s was to go to
contribution to improving its inspection Buckingham Palace and meet the Queen.
process. It wants to find out which places When Impact won the Queen’s Award in
that deliver care are not doing their jobs 2018, he attended a garden party at the
properly and respecting people’s palace (pictured) and, although he didn’t
human rights. meet the Queen herself, he was
The commission wants to find out absolutely thrilled to be in her house and
about “closed cultures” and put a stop to see both Charles and Camilla.
to them. Terry was one of the first members of
A closed culture is one that is Impact Theatre. He joined in 1999, the
characterised by secrecy and hostility. year the company started.
The CQC says it is a “poor culture in I had the privilege of knowing Terry shielding and the vaccine. You can
health and social care that increases the throughout his school and college days download easy-read Covid information at
risk of harm through abuse and human and later as a member of Impact Theatre. https://tinyurl.com/y9s2x3hp.
rights breaches”. He grew from a wonderful, cheeky and Community Living Facebook admins
The only way the CQC can improve its fun-loving boy into a wonderful, cheeky
process is by speaking to the people it and fun-loving man – an exceptional artist, Children lose out in lockdown
serves. This is our chance to improve how dancer, all-round performer and human Disabled children deserve better. Our The
CQC inspections are carried out. being. Impact will Longest Lockdown report exposes a huge
We need to hear from you and it is very not be the same gap in support, as most disabled children
important that your voice is heard. without him. are still missing out on health and therapy
Getting involved is easy. You can add Dance on Terry. appointments. See: http://bit.ly/DCPLeftinL.
your voice by filling out the survey at We miss you. Disabled Children’s Partnership
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ Kim Mughan @DCPcampaign, via Twitter
Closed-cultures. Artistic director,
Anyone can fill out the survey as long Impact Theatre Farewell, Rose, Community Living
as they have experienced a closed Company, London founder…
culture. You might have experienced l See review, I will miss this lady who in our
this personally or you might be a parent page 27 conversations showed humour, spirit,
of someone who has experienced a grace, intelligence and fierce care for
closed culture. Vaccine victory… those with vulnerabilities of all ages who
You may be an advocate or member of We are so pleased that everyone with a she fought for even in her own poor
staff who has worked in a closed culture. learning disability who is on a GP register health. A light has gone out in the world.
Your voice matters. will now be offered the Covid-19 vaccine. Lou Booth
Alexis Quinn and Jo Clare Everyone has worked so hard to make Via Facebook
Co-chairs, Restraint Reduction Network this change happen.
Closed Cultures Steering Group Learning Disability England … whose wisdom helped families …
@LearningDisEng, via Twitter I’m so shocked and saddened – she was a
great help to our family with her wise advice
Books and tweets … was won by speaking up and support. We will miss her greatly.
It’s often frustrating but, when we have
Eve Smith
the courage and energy to speak up, Via Facebook
Our website has a new book reviews sometimes we achieve great things. Well
section. Find some reading done to all involved! … and who was a lifelong inspiration
recommendations at www. David Towell Rose was truly inspirational. She was
cl-initiatives.co.uk/book-reviews Via Facebook committed to helping people with
Following Community Living on learning disabilities right up to the very
Twitter? We have a new handle – it’s Easy-read lockdown guides end of her life.
now @CommLiving Mag_ Mencap have created some easy-read Gill Levy
guides about the lockdown in England, Via Facebook

6 Vol 34 No 3 | Spring 2021 Community Living www.cl-initiatives.co.uk