1. The LeadingChangemakersin U.K: APASEN-ABritish-Bangladeshi organizationto leadchanges of
learningDisabilities amongthe DifferentlyAble Minorities
“Mysister Nasimais ourqueen, wemakeeverything specialforher, we treat her very special “Whiletalkingto
MumtazBegum (40)at Carmenwharf-APASEN head office,the confidence,thenotion, treatingher differentlyable
sister and sharingherviews as wellhaspaved the waytowards positive changesnotonlyher surroundingsaroundin
U.K but also in Bangladesh.Sheis positive anda mentoralsotowards to those who facesdifficultiestodealalong
with learnerswithdisabilities.Shefeels that at the endhow doyou dealwith andtreat them as wellthat canmake
the issue a positive challengebutnota burden.
My currentfellowship is beinggrantedby “CharlesWallaceTrust”BangladeshchapterU.K andnominated byBritish
CouncilDhakahaspavedthe waytowards the understandingofworkingwithan organizationas a learningobserver
basedon “Youth Engagement‘tocomparethesituationinU.K andBangladeshwheretheclientsare mostly
Bangladeshioriginethnic minoritiesaswell.Thetwo monthshas shapedthe ways of hope,aspirationandnew vision
to share the ideasin Bangladeshaswell.APASEN, a charityworkingfor the peoplewithlearningdisabilityfor the
past 27 years inLondon andfrom 2014 onwardsinBangladesh also,especiallyinDhakaandSylhet, whereasthey
alreadystarted workingwith“Parents Forum for DifferentlyAble”. It was started in 1984by a groupof British Asian
parentswith childrenatspecialneedsschoolinLondonwhometregularlyto support eachotherandshare
experiences.
“We willcontinueto promotetheconceptofpersonalization-ensuringourclientsarein controlofthe carethey
receiveand that we areinnovative, flexibleand responsiveto their changingneedswhilemaintaininghighstandards
in allaspectsof our work”-whiletalkingto the chiefexecutiveMahmudHasan,MBE,sharedhisviews for future.In
consultationwiththeclientandtheir family, they designa personalcareplanandrigorouslyadhereto UK
governmentstandardsof quality andsafety. Themajorityof carevisits areto provide helpwithpersonalcare-bathing
anddressing, gettingup andgoing to bed, and assisting withmedication wherepeopleareconnectedtotheir
communitiesbyaccompanyingthem onregularvisits to the local shops,leisure centre,andhelpwith personal
errands.Right nowAPASEN is the onlyBMEservice provider of it’s kind inSouth of the Capital,Croydon. It is
speciallysupportingAsianand BMEadults with learningdisabilities. Theyaremainlyfrom India, Pakistan, and
Nigeriaapartfrom Bangladeshiorigins.Abondageandsensiblerelationinbetween65years oldJohn a supportstaff
alongwith young learnerAmeer, PakistanioriginBritishdoes give a clearview that “ Caringis Sharing”andyou
never know from whereit canmoveon. Zarais very keenin cycling,shoppingwhereasPalakdoesspendhertimeto
learnnumeric values.Sofiais anultimateleaderof the centerwhichdoesnotshow anywhereshe is facingthe
challengesoflearningdisabilities.Theyhave welltrainedworkforce,who have a widerangeof relevant language
skillsincludingArabic/Somali andMauritian.
It offers culturallyand faith sensitive servicesand provides the followingservicesamongst others:IT classes,
NumeracyandLiteracy,Outdoorand IndoorSports, TravelTraining,Cooking,Gardening,DayTrips,religious
awareness,yoga, Gym , dance,music,cycling,cricket,football,outdoorandindoorgamesandcyclingas well.
Apasen’s specialistYouthservices is a newand uniqueyouth clubbasedapproach thatwaslaunchedinApril 2013
andthe only dedicatedserviceproviderinTowerHamletsboroughfor13-25year olds with mildtomoderateSENs (
SpecialEducationNeeds)andLDDs( learningDisabilitiesDisorders) inBRADY Center as well.Everyone is welcome
wherethe they have createdasafe ,stimulatingenvironmentwhereyoungpeople,who mighthave experienced
bullyingat mainstream youthclubs,feelincludedandcanbethemselvesalongwiththree specialistyouthworkers
whorun the clubonWednesday. Theyworkwith eachyoung personto set personalgoalsandidentifyareas they
2. want to improveon throughclubactivities-suchascooking,computers,andartsand crafts, keepfit, boxing, social
schoolsdevelopment,andoutdoortrips. Participantsareencouraged toachievecertifiedskillsthathave been
identifiedas mostbeneficialforthem including: speakingtomorethan threepeers per session,taking part ingroup
activities. In 2013-2014,they alsoran two accreditedcoursesinImprovingSelf-Esteem andAbove Boxing( a non
contactboxingsport).”Till now115youngpeopleusedthe service at leastonce-with 60%attendingat least five
times”-whilediscussingabouttheprospectsthe projectleaderofYouth Clubbasedactivities, Karimasharedthe
point. It doeshave the connectedzoneforchildrenalsoonevery Saturday.16 years oldIbrahim whodoes have
passionfor documentary,Sumaiyaanotherteen doeshave passionfor heroriginBangladesh,wheresheloves to
visit every year. ThereisalsocollaborationalongwithNational Autistic Societyandcouncilservicessuchasthe
disabledchildrenoutreach.
The youth employmentopportunitiesare anotherpriorityto be mentioned wherethreetrainedupyouth with learning
disabilitieshasbeenrecruitedbyASDA- a prominentsupershopallover in U.K and introducednewDisability
EmploymentProject-withlearnersengagingregularlyinemploymentandsocialenterpriseactivities.Shahida(20) is
oneof the successfullearnerstobea part of APASEN Internshipas well. Apart from these initiatives homebased
respite, residentialrespite,summerdaytrips and Saturdaywomen’srespiteis the other facilitiestobe mentioned.”
Halima(37)from Pakistanis one of them who is residinginresidentialcarehomeofAPASEN Lodge,who enjoys her
greaterindependenceassheis encouragedtomakeherowndecisionaswellas value the socialinteractionwith
other clientsat mealtimesandduringmanyactivities.” PamelaBoney, RegisteredManagerofthe lodgesharedher
view whilediscussing.
Thevisionand missionisright nowengulfedunderthe shadowof risingquestionsregardingbudgetcut.“As muchas
£4.6bnhas beencutfrom socialcarebudgetsover the past five years. Even beforethen, the fundingwas unrealistic
– localcouncilswererunningscaredofsocialcarecostincreases.Theyusedto talk of the “graphof doom”,in which
they plotted theirfundingagainsttheir socialcarespending.At somepointover the next three decades –it varied
accordingtogeography– all the moneywouldbe swallowedupbycare.But the fact is, different localauthorities
wererespondingwithdifferent degreesof creativity andambition.Therewerecouncilswhocommissionedsocial
carepackageswhichsimplearithmeticwouldhavetoldthem were insufficienttopay minimumwagesalariestothe
careworkers. Chargedwiththis, they wouldhave pleadedimpotence.Whatdo you do, if the moneysimplyisn’t
there?You have to go with the lowestcostprovider”.( Source:Guardian)Buttherewereotherlocalauthorities
beginningto insource,othersstill commissioningfrom socialenterprises(liketheSandwellCommunityCaringTrust);
councilscommitting openlyto payinga living wageand that trajectory, had it beennurtured, wouldhave led
inexorablyto a conversationabouthowto raise the moneycollectively,in orderto be ableto carecollectively,where
doesAPASEN stand?What is the 2020vision to sustain inthe long run? Whether the modelcanbesuccessful
implementedinBangladeshaswellwhereastheirrecognitionandfocusisstillnowas Paraolympic medalwinners?
Cansocialenterprisebaseactivitiesbe a solutionfor sustainability? Thelastbut not the least, the hardest truth is
caregiver job inU.K is stillnow lowpaidwherethe immigrants,asylum seekersand students arein a row to get in
but howlong that willbe consideredasitis now?
NatashaIsratKabir
FreelanceResearcher,CharlesWallaceTrustFellow,PresidentandFounder of BRIDGEFoundation
4. Picture4:Busy for shoppingthis is alsoa part of learningforthem
Picture5: A CycleParadefrom Croydon that motivates them to believe “nothingis impossible.”
Picture:6 MonthlyMeetingatAPASEN HeadOfficealongwith “LearningDisabilitiesParticipants”
