The 200 Lives Project was set up to find out more about supported living and residential care for adults with learning disabilities, and was funded by the National Institute for Health Research. The purpose of this research was to find out how good these services are, how much they cost and what helps people lead a good life.

When the Operations & Engagement Manager was contacted by the 200 Lives Project, Colin, a person we support in our Northern services, stepped forward to volunteer to help. Colin was a volunteer at the Walsingham Support office, where he looked after visitors, advised managers when people had arrived, attended meetings and worked on other day-to-day office duties. So, it was no surprise when Colin stepped forward.

The 200 Lives Project was put together before the Covid-19 pandemic brought the country to a standstill, but that didn’t stop Colin from helping out. He sat two virtual interviews with the project and was sent questionnaires to complete, both of which covered topics like the type of support he was receiving, the home he was living in and how he was feeling.

In June 2022, Colin received a thank-you letter along with an easy-read report on the findings of the study from the 200 Lives Project, which he was very proud of, showing them to all members of staff. Colin has contributed towards this important research, the results from which the project will aim to present to government, commissioners of social care services, groups of people with learning disabilities, family groups and the Care Quality Commission.

To learn more about the 200 Lives Project, click here