Just had a notification that today is my Twitter anniversary. Poignant timing as today is also my last day as CEO of Minstead Trust. I’ll be handing the account over to the new CEO but wanted to say thank you to all Twitter family and keep up the good fight #learningdisability

I’m finding today much harder than I expected. A year of memories of challenges, heartache and worry trying to steer us safely through.Thank you to our wonderful team at Minstead Trust who’ve pulled together to get us this far. Hope is coming #learningdisability #DayOfReflection

Today’s Supreme Court ruling bittersweet outcome. Good news that the care sector won’t go bust - a very real possibility because of the backdating requirement if the ruling went the other way. But once again highlights how the sector is underfunded so it can’t pay what it wants.

Covid: 150,000 with learning disabilities to be prioritised for vaccine bbc.co.uk/news/health-561811…

Thanks @jowhiley for giving a voice to thousands of people who haven’t had their voices heard during this pandemic. Hope Frances continues to recover #learningdisability #Covid19UK #vaccine

We welcome announcement about resuming face to face care home visiting. Now apply that to ALL vulnerable people in including in supported living. Think it shows how little government understands the care sector #LearningDisabilities #Covid19UK

I was sceptical that government would hit its target for vaccinating first 4 cohorts by 15 Feb but thanks to the brilliant #nhs they look like they have. I’m pleased all our staff have had the first dose to help others. Now priority to vaccinate those with #LearningDisability

Terrible statistics. What is the reason - poorer care in the first place? #LearningDisability

Misleading headline - No vaccines offered to LD residents. Despite government’s own study showing people with LD were SIX times more likely to die of Covid. #learningdisabilities #forgotten ⁦@BBCNews⁩ bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55881741

Nobody we support yet though we are hopeful that our LD care homes residents will be in the next week or so, those whom we support in the community haven’t been contacted yet. But then nor have our frontline social care staff who are in cohort 2. Let’s hope it’s soon. @jowhiley

Watch to the end. Shocking

Thank you to everyone who has donated, supported, volunteered or worked for Minstead Trust this difficult year. We really couldn’t have got through this without you. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your kindness and generosity. Here is to a better New Year x

We spent yesterday evening talking to the people we support and their families about the consequences of the announcement. Our Minstead team have been brilliant, their own plans will have been impacted, but as always their priority was helping everyone else cope. #socialcare

As an ex-senior civil servant and now charity CEO working in social care I’m appalled by this. My team have worked long hours through this crisis to respond to last minute policy changes to keep people safe. No £1k bonus for them for giving up holiday. Same for all key-workers.

So true

Another good Hampshire Learning Disability Partnership Board meeting talking about health and dentistry services and how they can work better to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities. Lots of questions about priority to vaccine @CllrCarpenter @Southern_NHSFT

Just joined brilliant talk by @jessphillips as part of @ACEVO conference. Told us our sector should never act ‘grateful’ for government money to stop our charities from failing when we are supporting the most vulnerable and providing the most essential services. #NeverMoreNeeded