Roberto Morelli talks about how his daughter inspired the foundation of Where I Want To Live
This blog is in collaboration with our Innovation Hour: Where I Want To Live event
There are approximately 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK (*Mencap), each with unique needs, experiences and hopes. But while there are numerous services, organisations and support available, it’s not always easy to find them.
This was the experience of Alessandra Morelli and her father Roberto. Alessandra was keen to live an independent life, but they weren’t sure what options were available to young adults with learning disabilities.
“When full time education finished, I panicked,” explained Roberto. “Alessandra was desperate to do what her siblings had done: move into a house with friends!”
Thousands of families face the same challenge every year. With no facility to search available services, and limited resources to help Alessandra understand her options, how could she make a fully informed choice?
“I felt guilty, inadequate, incompetent and very stressed,” said Roberto. “Suddenly becoming a single parent meant that planning for my daughter’s housing and care was essential.
“I was struggling to keep her socially involved. She was gradually becoming isolated, less physically active and more introverted. She wanted to be around her friends and I was finding the logistics of regularly organising this challenging.”
Roberto reached out to his friend Louise Keevil for help. Louise is a Special Education Needs and Disability specialist consultant and worked as a principal of a residential specialist college. Working together, the two spent many hours researching long-term living options for Alessandra.
This experience inspired Roberto and Louise to found Where I Want To Live, a charity that provides resources to young people and their support networks. Their digital toolkit helps people with learning disabilities to think about their future and let other people know their wishes.
“Independent living has empowered my daughter,” said Roberto. “She has more control over her life, more choice and she is happier as a result.”
The Where I Want To Live toolkit is free, enabling self-discovery and providing signposting and guidance about living options.
If you would like to find out more about Roberto’s story, Practice Solutions is hosting an Innovation Hour on Thursday 15 May. Our Innovation Hours are designed to connect you with people who are passionate about driving innovative solutions to the challenges of delivering health and social care. This free online seminar gives you the chance to speak to Roberto about his experience and the innovative toolkit.
Places are limited, so reserve your spot via TicketTailor today.
