Inclusion in climate change (informing social care) – DRAFT
Project Background
Led by Inspired Purpose, in partnership with Future Directions CIC and Learning Disability England (LDE), this project aims to ensure that people with learning disabilities are actively included in shaping climate change responses at local and national levels. Potential areas being explored are to integrate understanding of climate impacts into social care and health practice; support local planning and adaptation aligned with sustainability and equity; influence student social work training and policy development; and to address intersectional exclusions (e.g. race, gender, sexuality) and include people with profound disabilities.
IMPACT Factfile
- Year: 2026 – 2027
- Delivery Model: Demonstrator
- Four Nations: England
- Themes:
- To follow
- Resources:
- To follow
Meet Our Demonstrators: Oli Smithson and Gordon Waigand
Oli Smithson
I am a health and social care specialist with a background in service improvement and leadership in the charity sector.
I joined IMPACT from the Health Foundation, where I led grant funding and strategy work on health and social care innovation. My interest in social care formed while working as a support worker at the beginning of my career. IMPACT offered a unique opportunity to combine my experience of service improvement with my desire to make a difference in social care, particularly for adults with learning disabilities.
I joined IMPACT from the Health Foundation, where I led grant funding and strategy work on health and social care innovation. My interest in social care formed while working as a support worker at the beginning of my career. IMPACT offered a unique opportunity to combine my experience of service improvement with my desire to make a difference in social care, particularly for adults with learning disabilities.
Gordon Waigand
I am a Social Worker with a background in adult social care, specialising in learning disabilities, transition services, and provision for older adults. For most of my 30-year career, I have held senior management positions within public services. Based in Derbyshire, I am originally from Germany and have lived in the UK for the past 30 years. More recently, I have worked as a consultant with local authorities, supporting the development of their adult social care departments.