Wokingham

It was lights, camera, action for a group of local people with learning disabilities when they went before the cameras to make their own information DVD.

Premiering on Monday November 7 at the South Hill Park cinema at Ringmead, Bracknell, from 12.30pm to 1.30pm, the short film entitled: ‘We’re on Our Way’ was produced by service users who attend Wokingham District Council’s resources and opportunity centre (WROC) in Woosehill.

And the WROC Players - as they have now become known - not only did all the front of camera acting, they were heavily involved in script-writing, filming and developing the DVD as well.

Made by and for people with learning disabilities, the video focuses on person centred planning (PCP) – an approach to developing and providing services which puts the individual at the heart of all thinking and planning.

Funded by Wokingham District Council and the Wokingham Learning Disability Partnership Board, with additional support from independent agencies - Wokingham Theatre and the Fire Stone Rock Band - the DVD took six months to produce and involved 29 of WROC’s 120 members.

PCP coordinator Jodie Newman said: “This is an excellent and exciting project, involving many local people with people with learning disabilities. We are all very proud of the results and hope it will do a great job of raising awareness of person centred planning in the Wokingham district.”

WROC member Janine Sewell, who took part in the video, said: “It was hard work but great fun; we had a good laugh making it. I hope it helps people to know more about person centred planning.”

Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons, executive member for social care services and housing, said: “This is such an exciting project and one that will be of great use to many people. This council is always looking at different ways of improving its services for people and this latest innovation is one of which everyone involved can be very proud. I hope that other councils will want to make use of the DVD."

Copies of ‘We’re on Our Way’ will be made available for all people in the Wokingham district who have a learning disability. Local authorities will be able to hire or purchase copies from WROC.

Wokingham District Council ~ November 1, 2005