Peterborough club for adults with learning disabilities delighted after praise from MP in Commons

The Conservative MP highlighted the efforts of Club ‘73, a not-for profit community organisation which offers social and leisure opportunities for adults with learning and/or social disabilities.

During Tuesday’s debate on social care in the Commons, Mr Bristow told members: “I would like to pay tribute to Klayr Lynch, the facilitator of Club ‘73, and her team for all the hard work they undertake each and every day for some of my most vulnerable constituents.

“They do a truly brilliant job. The same can be said of the disability hustings organised by Disability Peterborough and the Cambridgeshire Deaf Association, organised by my old school friend Andrew Palmer.”

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Club ‘73 is based at the Innova Studios, John Mansfield Centre, in Western Avenue, Dogsthorpe.

It currently has more than 300 members and is hoping to become a registered charity later this year.

Activities it offers include: a weekly social club, gardening, cooking and knitting/crotchet groups, a choir and bimonthly disco and outings, while it also provides support in areas such as housing needs, benefits, reporting crimes, accessing GP appointments and social care arrangements.

Klayr said: “I am aware of Paul’s very kind words in the House of Commons and we are very happy to have our organisation and the amazing work of our members heralded far and wide.

“We held two hustings leading up to the recent General Election to support our members and volunteers to feel more involved and engaged in politics. These hustings were a brilliant opportunity for our members to meet all political candidates, ask the questions they felt were important to them and to have an opportunity to listen to the various answers given.

“We have found our members are keen to know more about their rights in general, as well as to have their voices heard more. Sadly, many of our members feel that they are often not listened to, understood or feel somewhat discriminated against.”

Mr Bristow, the MP for Peterborough, was the managing director of a communication business specialising in health and social care before entering the Commons in December.

Both his parents were nurses, with his father also managing residential nursing homes and his mother working as a deputy sister in a residential home caring for people with dementia.

He told MPs: “Many of my constituents work in social care and the profession is just as important as our NHS in helping to support our community. Those working in care homes and in the community across my city and the country should know that they are valued, just as we value our hard-working doctors and nurses.”

He said plugging the gap in the care workforce would require better pay, but also changing the perception that carers are “low-skilled workers”.

The MP added: “We need a greater emphasis on professional structures, career development and appropriate reward.”