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Understand Us - Disability Consultants UK

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Understand Us - Disability Consultants UK

Founded by The Sunnybank Trust. We are Surrey’s first disability-led consultancy, creating inclusive, accessible environments for all.

03/12/2025

The theme for this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities is “Fostering disability‑inclusive societies for advancing social progress.”

We believe inclusion starts with communication that works for everyone 🗣️📘 The Sunnybank Trust

❌ People with learning disabilities face major barriers in:
• Healthcare 🏥
• Businesses 🏬
• Public services 🚍

Simple adjustments like:
• Easy Read 📘✨
• No Jargon ❌🗣️
• Visual guides 👀📊
can make a world of difference.

Did you know?
⚠️ 42% of deaths among people with LD are considered avoidable.
🚫 In Surrey, women with LD are 64% less likely to receive cervical screening.
📊 Nationally, only 13.45% of women with LD had a cervical cancer screening test.
📘 Many people with LD tell us they would prefer their NHS and GP information in Easy Read.

‼️ These numbers highlight the important need for change
📢 We are excited to be taking action

We are proud to be working on two key projects ⬇️

1️⃣ Accessible Annual Health Reviews:
📝 Working with the ICP to redesign the Annual Health Check questionnaire
👩‍⚕️ and support GPs to use inclusive communication

2️⃣ Improving Cervical Screening Access:
🤝 Partnering with Surrey Heartlands to understand low screening rates
👨‍🏫 and running a workshop to boost screening accessibility

✅ Today is a reminder that inclusion is not optional
✅ Accessible communication saves lives.

22/11/2025

We are working on a very exciting project for The Integrated Care Partnership 🤝👨‍⚕️👩‍⚕️

The project looks at the Annual Health Check process for people with learning disabilities 🏥

We are proud to be working on a project that actively breaks down barriers faced by disabled people 💪

Watch this space

The Sunnybank Trust
The Integrated Care Partnership

25/10/2025

📣 Invisible Disability Week is happening now, and we want to shine a light on the invisible challenges many people live with every day.

💡 Someone might look “okay” from the outside, but could be living with:

• a learning disability
• chronic pain, fatigue or health conditions
• neurological or cognitive impairments

These things are real. They just aren’t always seen. And because of that, they’re often missed or misunderstood.

At Understand Us ( part of The Sunnybank Trust ), our team has lived experience of learning disabilities and other impairments.

🔍 This week, we are asking organisations and communities to think:

• Is our information easy to understand?
• Can people with hidden disabilities take part and feel welcome here?
• Are we listening to real voices and lived experience?

🌟 When you make things accessible, you help people take part, connect, and be seen.

✅ If you would like some help making your workplace, service or community more inclusive - we would love to work with you.

We offer training, audits, and practical advice that make a real difference.

📧: understandus@sunnybanktrust.org

15/10/2025

In September, The Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) invited to run a workshop for around 60 medical professionals from four GP surgeries around Epsom.

During the workshop, we explored how GP visits can be more accessible for people with learning disabilities, including:

🩺 How to make appointments easier understand
🗣️ Communication tips and tools
♿ Making waiting rooms more welcoming and accessible
📄 Supporting patients with forms and paperwork
🤝 Building trust and positive relationships

Staff described the session as powerful and educational 💙

“It was profoundly educational” - Laura-Rose Hall, PCN operations Manager

We are excited to be working the ICP 😊
.pcn

18/09/2025

The Sunnybank Trust and Understand Us - Disability Consultants UK were recently invited to attend the Epsom and Ewell Borough Neighbourhood Board Partnership Forum. Epsom & Ewell Borough Council

This forum provides a valuable space for community organisations to:
📢 share community challenges
🙌 explore opportunities for collaborative

At the meeting, Understand Us:
🗣️ delivered an interactive presentation
📣 gave a unique insight into the barriers people with learning disabilities face
💭 showcased the practical tools they have developed to help organisations strengthen inclusivity in their approach and services

We look forward to continuing these conversations and to the next forum meeting.

08/08/2025

⚠️ Less than 5% of people with a learning disability in the UK have a paid job.
We are working to change that!!

✅ Understand Us is a consultancy led by people with learning disabilities (LD).
We use our lived experience to help businesses become more inclusive, including employing people with learning disabilities, autism, and other hidden disabilities.

📈 At the same time, we are building up our own team of paid consultants who have learning disabilities and other impairments.

💪 We believe people with LD have huge value to bring – from fresh ideas and creativity to dedication and honesty.

Too often, we’re overlooked. It’s time to change the system... 🌍

Get in touch for more information 📧 understandus@sunnybanktrust.org

07/07/2025

Check out the article from Nescot about their SEND networking event for employers: https://www.nescot.ac.uk/news/nescot-hosts-send-employer-networking-event.html

"The Understand Us team, from local charity, Sunnybank Trust, offered insights from the SEND perspective and how they support local businesses. Their presentation, highlighted the challenges young people with SEND face in the community and when looking for employment. They shared useful tips on how employers can support applicants and employees with SEND, and what to consider during the application process and prior to interview."

The Sunnybank Trust

04/07/2025

💙 It’s Co-production Week!

At Understand Us, co-production isn’t just a buzzword - it’s the way we work.

We believe people with lived experience of learning disabilities should lead the conversations that affect them. That’s why our workshops, training, and consultancy are shaped and delivered with the very people they’re about.

Understand Us is also proud to be the Advisory Board to , helping guide the charity’s direction and ensure lived experience is at the heart of decision-making.

Co-production means:
✔ Real voices, real experiences
✔ Shared decision-making
✔ Respect for everyone’s contribution

This week, we're celebrating all the powerful and practical ways that co-production drives change 💪

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

16/06/2025

📢 Myth Busting Monday - Learning Disability Week

🧠 MYTH: “Learning disabilities are the same as learning difficulties.”

✅ FACT: They are not the same.

"A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability, usually identified soon after birth or in the early years, and will last a person’s whole life.

Many people with a learning disability, such as people with Down syndrome, may find everyday activities challenging - for example household tasks, socialising or managing money.

Other people with a learning disability need to be fully supported in all areas of their life, including communicating, personal care, and staying safe.

They are likely to take longer to learn and may need support to develop new skills, understand information or interact with other people.

Although a learning disability is permanent, many people can develop new skills throughout their lives. And, of course, societies and communities can change to be more inclusive. With the right support and an inclusive community, people with a learning disability can thrive." (Source: Mencap, 2025)

A learning difficulty, like dyslexia or ADHD, affects a specific area of learning but does not affect overall intellectual ability.

💬 At Sunnybank, we believe people with learning disabilities can live full, independent lives with the right support, understanding, and inclusion.

15/05/2025

🔵 Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day 🔵
Thursday 15 May 2025 marks the 14th - a day to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities.

💻 What is digital accessibility?
It means making sure everyone, including people with disabilities, can independently use and interact with websites, apps and other digital content.

Find out more: https://accessibility.day/

03/04/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined our Understand Us workshop on March 26th!

👉 If you're interested in attending or hosting an Understand Us workshop, get in touch at understandus@sunnybanktrust.org

📸 Photography by Richard Lea Photography

02/04/2025

Yesterday, we had the pleasure of welcoming Tom Rhind-Tutt MBE, founder of The Sunnybank Trust, to an Understand Us meeting! 🎉 Tom brought along some very special guests who joined us all the way from Salisbury!

It was great to share ideas, experiences, and our passion for making a real difference in the lives of people with learning disabilities. It was also great to share the news of our recent features on BBC Surrey Radio and BBC News Surrey!

A huge thank you to Tom and our guests, Andy Rhind-Tutt, Laura and Tanya for taking the time to visit us - your support and insights mean so much! 💜

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The Old Town Hall
Epsom
KT185AG

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