For me, it is also a chance to highlight the importance of learning disability nursing. It is a distinct field of nursing that is sometimes less visible, but its impact is significant. Learning disability nurses work alongside people with learning disabilities, their families, carers and wider services to support health, wellbeing, inclusion and access to care.

People with learning disabilities continue to experience significant health inequalities. They are more likely to face barriers when accessing services, to have their health needs overlooked, and to experience poorer health outcomes. Learning disability nurses have a vital role in helping to reduce these inequalities by advocating for reasonable adjustments, promoting person-centred and person-led care, and supporting people to be heard, understood and involved in decisions about their lives.

What I love most about being a learning disability nurse is the privilege of working alongside people in a truly holistic and creative way. No two days are the same. The role requires compassion, curiosity, adaptability and a commitment to seeing the person first. It is about building relationships, understanding what matters to people, and finding ways to support meaningful engagement and better outcomes.

Learning disability nursing may be a relatively small field, but it is powerful. It offers the opportunity to make a real difference — not only to individual lives, but also to services, systems and communities.

I am proud to be a learning disability nurse. Proud to play a small part in people’s lives, proud to advocate for better access to healthcare, and proud to work in a profession that is so strongly centred on human rights, equality and the value of every person.

If you are passionate about putting people at the centre of care, reducing health inequalities, and supporting people to live full and meaningful lives, learning disability nursing could be the career for you.

Find out more about Scottish Learning Disability Week at www.ScotLDWeek.com

#WeAreHere #IAmHereScotland #ScotLDWeek26 #InclusionMatters