The RAD Community Support Work Service for People with Learning Disabilities and Mental Health offers a person centred service based on the principles of inclusion, empowerment, independence, rights and access.  The service we provide to each client is different but we can support people in such diverse ways as communication at college or the doctors, explaining complicated letters and paying bills, budgeting, helping with the weekly shop, maintaining friendships or going to Deaf Community events.  The list is endless!

Clients are encouraged to choose their own support workers and can be supported for specific activities or from day to day.

If you are interested in our support service: Please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , by voice or fax on 01306 881958, or minicom on 01306 876287.

To download a leaflet on our Community Support Service, click here.

Sarah Gilson, Team Leader for London interviewed Victoria Gater a Community Support Worker and Ailsa Chell a Community Support Worker and Group Facilitator for the Learning Disabilities and Mental Health Team:

Sarah: How long have you been working for RAD and can you explain your job for us?

Ailsa: I've been working for RAD for three years now.  I support two clients in the community for a few hours per week.  I also run a Makaton Social Group and a Self Expression Group

Victoria: I have been working for RAD for 18 months as a sessional Community support worker.  for the London Learning Disabilities and Mental Health team.  I work with my colleagues on a rota basis, visiting clients in their own homes and offering a variety of support.  Tjis ranges from helping clients to access health care, benefits and advice, looking for work or training, to finding social and leisure activities and general practical support.  I see the role of our team as helping deaf clients build on their skills, knowledge and confidence to access services and activities which will lead to them having more meaningful and enjoyable lives.

Sarah: What do you enjoy most about your job?

Victoria: The variety! No two days are the same.  One day I may be offering communication support at GP or hospital appointments, the next I may be furniture shopping or going to the dentist and the day after that going to church or to the pub for lunch!

Ailsa: I enjoy the variety the job offers - no two clients are the same.  I also enjoy seeing the difference the services make to the clients lives, however small.  It gives them the chance to make choices for themselves and realise that they matter.

Sarah: You mentioned Makaton, what is this and how do most of your clients communicate?

Ailsa: Not all our clients use BSL.  Most of the clients I support use Makaton, a 'total communication' system used with people with Learning Disabilities.  Makaton incorporates simple signs and also symbols.  We communicate using these signs and symbols but also with some BSL signs, photos, drawings and objects of reference.  Anything that works!

Victoria: My clients are all profoundly deaf and all use BSL, with varying levels of confidence.  Some I struggle to keep up with (I have just started NVQ level 3 course, so am not as fluent yet as I would like to be!)  others use much more basic levels of signing.  One of my clients is deafblind - he communicates to me through a combination of BSL and English with a lot of fingerspelling and I use deafblind manual alphabet with him.

Sarah: Lastly, tell us something about you that most people wouldn't know!

Ailsa: I support Liverpool Football Club, my father used to play for them many years ago!

Victoria: I am passionate about West African music and dance and I do a lot of drumming including some teaching.  I love the accessibility of it - no matter what people's skill level is, everyone can have a go.  I have met deaf drummers out there in the drumming community too as there is such a powerful vibration.