Twickenham MP Munira Wilson explores lifelong care and support with residents

We were delighted to welcome Twickenham MP Munira Wilson last week and explain more about the person-centred support we provide and the challenges we face as a provider of social care.

Ms Wilson was invited by residents in Hampton to learn about the lifelong, person-centred support they receive from Certitude, London’s leading not-for-profit social care provider for people with learning disabilities, autistic people, and people with mental health needs.

Ms Wilson also met with Michael Wood, Certitude Manager, and his support worker colleagues who explained how the team help people to live a good life, tailoring support to their needs, interests, and values, connecting them with their communities, and helping them learn new skills.

Residents George, Paul, and Michael, all music enthusiasts, enjoy lively music sessions at home and attend workshops by the Richmond Music Trust. Paul hits the gym weekly to manage his arthritis, while Diane looks forward to locally run bi-weekly yoga sessions. Purvi, a Bollywood fan, loves to cook and try different Indian meals.

The visit also provided an opportunity to discuss the challenges of providing high-quality social care and the impact of unfunded national insurance increases on disabled people, families, and carers.

Certitude delivers social care on behalf of local authorities and the NHS and relies entirely on public funding to ensure disabled people receive high-quality care and support. We stressed the urgent need for proper and fair funding and welcomed social care reform, giving people more choice and control. We look forward to contributing to the upcoming independent commission on adult social care led by Baroness Casey.

Ms Munira Wilson MP said: "It’s so important for everyone in our community to be able to live independently and with dignity, receiving the care they need in their own home wherever possible. Certitude provides lifelong support allowing people to live in the heart of the community.

“I’m grateful for the warm welcome from residents and colleagues, who showed me around and shared some of the issues facing social care.”

Certitude’s Chief Executive Aisling Duffy added: “It was a pleasure to welcome Ms Wilson to find out more about our work, meet the great people we support, and hear from their amazing, dedicated team of support workers."

“We strongly advocate for the people we support and for positive change in adult social care that enables disabled people to live ‘gloriously ordinary lives’. We are grateful to Ms Wilson for listening to the challenges we face. The support of our local representatives is invaluable to us.”