MP Jon Ashworth visits our ‘Outstanding’ service

Jon Ashworth, Labour MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, visited one our learning disability services this week, Gilmorton Flats, celebrating National Learning Disability Week with his constituents. 
Gilmorton Flats, which was recently rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, is a specialist service that supports people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, and autism to live with independence in the community.

A garden party was hosted for the people we supported, celebrating the reopening of a new garden area which has been updated with accessible garden furniture and a fruit and vegetable plot, in aid of promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles. The visit coincides with National Learning Disability Week, a week celebrating the inclusion of people with disabilities.

Jon was welcomed to the supported living service by Service Leader Gill Edwards, who recently scooped up the prestigious ‘Leader of the Year’ award at the Community Integrated Care We Dare Awards. With examples of outstanding leadership in tough circumstances, from bereavements through to challenging changes in the health of the people she supports, Gillian swept the board at the national event. Gillian’s achievement represents a major triumph for the Leicester care sector.

Jon said “It was great visiting Gilmorton Flats. The refurbished garden will help people to spend more time outdoors and reduce loneliness. Gillian is clearly an inspiration for the people living at the flats.”

Martin McGuigan, Managing Director of Central & South for Community Integrated Care, says: “Everyone at Gilmorton Flats was thrilled to receive a visit from the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Jon Ashworth, today. It’s been a pleasure welcoming him to the service and introducing him both to our colleagues and the people we support.

We have a really committed team here in Leicester, dedicating so many hours to creating this wonderful garden for our residents and promoting health and wellbeing for the people we support – demonstrating how our colleagues go the extra miles for those in our services.”