Lightbulb innovation: board games aid health promotion activities in people with learning disabilities

Image of a lightbulb with the words lightbulb innovations

Mary Codling, Primary health care lead nurse for learning disabilities in Wokingham hospital explains more.

Working with people with learning disabilities is hugely rewarding as they are often so eager to learn the tasks of life.

I've been involved in developing a set of board games designed to engage them in health promotion activities and empower them to take some responsibility for their own care.

The games address healthy eating, personal safety, general wellbeing, and keeping heart and lungs in shape. They're big, bright and interactive, making learning fun. Best of all, they really do make a difference.

We first produced them a few years ago - feedback was overwhelmingly positive and they quickly sold out. I'm delighted to say they’re currently being reproduced and will be available again soon.

My hope is that they will be widely used, and in other settings too - it's been suggested they could be useful in schools, hospital waiting rooms and for people with dementia.

If you would like to know more, please contact Mary Codling, email: mary.codling@berkshire.nhs.uk

This article originally featured in RCN Bulletin, Issue No. 296, October 2012. 

 

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