Harvey Morgan shows that a learning disability doesn’t have to hold anyone back. As a trainer for Cloverleaf’s Happy Healthy Relationships project, he draws on his own experiences living with dyspraxia and uses his skills to empower others to thrive. Beyond his role with Cloverleaf, Harvey is active in his community. He is currently collaborating with Lancashire University on a research project, and his long-term ambition is to become a spokesperson for people with learning disabilities, ensuring that every voice can #BeHeard.
We caught up with Harvey to learn more about Happy Healthy Relationships and how he is helping others with learning disabilities.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m Harvey, I’m 28 years old and I like karaoke, dancing in my spare time, and musicals. I go to church on Sundays and I’m in a walking group in Calderdale. I have a very busy social life. I work for the Happy Healthy Relationships project.
How did you find out about Happy Healthy Relationships?
I regularly attend Calderdale’s Self-Advocacy Peer Support Groups and Tracey; the Project Worker for Kirklees Involvement Network told me about the role. I turned it down twice originally as I didn’t have the confidence and worried about how I would cope with the commute, but I decided to go ahead. They are helping me get support through Access to Work to help me travel to Barnsley.
Do you feel supported in your role at Happy Healthy Relationships?
I feel super supported by my colleagues and my boss at Happy Healthy Relationships. I’ve learnt that if you live on your own, work makes you want to get up and it builds your confidence.
What does the Happy Healthy Relationships course mean to you?
It’s great seeing people building their confidence and helping people with learning disabilities realise that they can be in a relationship, get married and have children with the right support. It helps not only my own mental health, but the people who are attending the sessions. It makes us realise that we’re all in the same boat together.
What do you like about your job?
I like sharing new ideas and solving problems. I feel like I’m part of building a better, safer place for people with learning disabilities like me. People with learning disabilities often find it hard to socialise and make friends. Happy Healthy Relationships gives people opportunities to connect, and I’ve been able to build a good relationship with my colleagues.
What challenges have you faced previously with employment?
The Jobcentre doesn’t speak to you as an individual and the process can be very long and not very accessible. There are also not enough opportunities for people. And when you do get a job, it’s hard to feel secure in your workplace or feel like you belong. You have to belong in your workplace, because if you don’t, you’re more likely not to enjoy working there.
What can employers do for people with learning disabilities to help them in the workplace?
Give people enough time to process information and gather their thoughts. Create an open space where people can share their problems and know that everyone is there for them. Make us feel like one big team. Also, help us progress up the ladder, become better workers, and access more training. We deserve to be treated equally.
You are working on a project with Lancashire University, how did that come about?
I have started working with Lancashire University on an 18-month project about ‘Belonging’. The opportunity came through one of the advocacy groups. Over the last six months, I’ve made some new friends and taken part in research videos. It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m working on research that can help other organisations.
What advice would you give to others with learning disabilities?
Be more involved in your community, the more you connect to people, the more opportunities there are. We all need to believe in ourselves even if you have a learning disability or difficulty and show what we are capable of.
Happy Healthy Relationships is an accessible 12-week course for people with a learning disability in Kirklees, Calderdale and Barnsley about relationships. It covers topics such as friends, consent, intimate relationships, online dating and much more.
To find out more about our Happy Healthy Relationships project visit: Happy Healthy Relationships – Cloverleaf Advocacy
