The Restore2Mini and STOMP training aims to give people the skills to communicate the soft signs of illness in people with a learning disability to health professionals. It is available to family carers, people who support people with a learning disability, and people with a lived experience of a learning disability.
Why do you think it’s important that people take part in a Restore2Mini and STOMP session?
Oliver: People with a learning disability, particularly if they’re nonverbal can’t go to a doctor and they can’t tell them what’s wrong. Some people with a learning disability also have very high pain thresholds. With STOMP, people may not think about the medication they are taking. You can start to advocate for that person with a learning disability. It’s the same with Restore2Mini, it’s about advocating for people we support. They know what people are like ordinarily and they can spot the signs, and I think the training really helps that message.
Why do you think it’s important that the SQDs are Super trainers for Restore2Mini?
Oliver: Because we are people with a lived experience of a learning disability, we have a different view. People with a learning disability go through a lot of tests and see a lot of doctors and professionals. We have that experience of going through the NHS system.
Jay: People with a learning disability are great ambassadors as well. We had people with a learning disability on the training who would have made really good super trainers. They were very good at highlighting some of the issues they’ve gone through.
What would you say to someone thinking about doing the Restore2Mini training?
Oliver: It gives a good understanding and I think it’s just a brilliant piece of training. It’s about challenging medical professionals too.
STOMP is so important because you get into a cycle where people with a learning disability are given medication and have been on it for years. No one asks why they’re still on it. The person doesn’t necessarily remember why they’re on it. The staff don’t know why they’re on it. I think it’s good to realise that you can review medication and challenge doctors and medical professionals.
Jay: Even people who have years of experience feel like they’ve learned something from the training. It’s also a good opportunity for some of the existing staff to pick up information to share with junior members of staff.