Who we help
Supporting disabled people and their families
Since 1983 Skills for People has been supporting disabled people and their families to have better lives.
Our services are mostly in the North East England and Cumbria.
We share our good ideas and training across the UK and beyond, working to improve services and our communities.
Our history
Skills for People started in 1983, inspired by Sherry Cook, a mother of a child with a learning disability. The organisation was created by Sherry, and others: disabled people working with allies including family carers and people working in health and social care. Since then we have grown, but our vision and aims have remained the same.
In 2017 we merged with Northeast Special Needs Network to strengthen and improve our work with families of disabled children.
Our values at Skills for People
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We are powerful
We believe everyone should have the power to choose how they live their life. We work to challenge unfairness and remove barriers that stop people from living their best lives.
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We are respectful
We treat people kindly. We build trust and help people feel confident and strong.
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We listen
We listen carefully and value what people tell us. We work to make sure the voice of disabled people and their families makes a difference.
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We come up with ideas
We work to find new ways to make the world a better place for everyone. We are not afraid to think in different ways.
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We don’t give up
We stand up for what’s right and fight for change. We don’t give up when things get tough.
How we help
- We provide information advice and guidance, practical support and education about health, wellbeing and rights.
- We support people with a learning disability and autistic people to be healthy and well, independent, and included in their communities.
- We work to improve the world for disabled people and their families by using our lived experience and expertise to change hearts and minds, attitudes and services.
- We work to improve the lives of disabled people and their families by working with other organisations, including councils, health services, charities and government departments, through co-production, consultation, engagement and workforce training.
How we work
- Over the last 40 years, Skills for People been listening to what matters to people who have a learning disability, autistic people, their families and friends. This informs the work of the organisation.
- The leadership of disabled people and their families in central in all of our work, whether it be through creating and delivering our services, providing peer support, training or working to improve services and wider society.
- We support innovation and collaboration in order to bring about improvements in society and services.