Bright Community

Staff lottery funding helping people with learning disabilities

People with learning disabilities in North Tyneside will be the first to benefit from funds raised through our Northumbria staff lottery.

Each month 15% of the money raised from the lottery is donated to the Bright Community fund, which has been created specifically to provide dedicated funding for community-based initiatives, projects or equipment that directly benefits our patients.

Applications for Bright Community funding are allocated by the Staff Lottery Grant Allocation Group and the first meeting saw funding allocated to two applications from the North Tyneside Community Learning Disabilities Team.

The first was to buy a resource book to help people with learning disabilities manage their emotions.

Assistant psychologist Yoji Yordanova says the resource book will enable the team to develop and adapt a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) programme that is accessible for people with learning disabilities.

Yoji said: “We will use this manual to help people recognise their emotions, increase their self-awareness, self-soothe, and reduce unwanted impulsive behaviours. It will really make a positive impact on their lives.”

The team was also allocated funding to buy iPads for use while waiting in the reception area and will be used to provide young people with access to resources to promote positive mental health - Headspace, Mindshift and Moody Me. The idea came from feedback from young people as part of the team’s work towards achieving the You’re Welcome accreditation, which aims to make health premises friendly and inviting for young people. 

Community learning disability nurse Gemma Henry said: “The Bright Communities fund is a great way to apply for funding towards providing the special extras that make a real difference to our patients.”