Learning Disability Week 2025: Leo’s story
“I’VE been coming here since the building opened in 2005. The staff here are very helpful.”
These are the words of Leo, a regular user of Durham County Council’s Hawthorn House which he
has attended, and supported, for many years. As part of Learning Disability Week, which runs
between 16 June and 22 June, the council is highlighting this week’s theme: ‘Do you see me.’ It aims
to spotlight all the amazing things that people with learning disabilities do, and bring, to society.
For Leo, Hawthorn House is not only a place that provides respite and support, but also a place
where he can provide help for staff, while feeling valued each day.
“I’m doing a photography project for Linda, I borrowed a camera from here and I go home with
the camera and take photos,” Leo continues.
“I do regular newsletters for Hawthorn House; I write that monthly. Linda phones me up and tells
us what the topic is, and I get my notepad, and I write it up and then I get it sent off in the post
before it gets printed up into the newsletter.”
Leo has also been directly involved in the recruitment of new staff, conducting interviews with
new members to find out a bit more about them.
“I ask them what hobbies they have,” he says, “and why do they want to come to work for
Hawthorn House. They have got to be friendly and get on with people.”
The service is also a perfect place for Leo to pick up new skills and activities such as crafts and
board games.
He adds: “Recently I’ve just started joining in more activities like crafts. We had a party film night
on Saturday night, and we got different board games out and watched films as well.
Leo concludes: “I like coming here to Hawthorn House to respite because it’s all on the flat and all
on one level and it’s suitable for me with having a walking frame. The staff here are very helpful, and
they like to help you out.”
Cllr Howard Brown, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for adults and health services, said:
“For people like Leo, our services offer a vital place to wind down and receive support and company.
“But what is often overlooked, is the amazing contribution people with learning disabilities make
to society and to our lives. Leo provides vital help for staff at Hawthorn House through his work on
the newsletter and interviewing new staff members.
“As part of the ‘Do you see me’ theme for Learning Disability Week, we want to thank our service
users for their valued contributions to the services we deliver, and for enriching the experiences of
our staff who have the pleasure of working alongside them.”
Through adult social care, the council offers a range of support for people with a learning
disability, including day services, specialist teams and housing solutions. If you’d like to find out
more about services, visit: www.durham.gov.uk/learningdisabilties .
