A RAINBOW mural and ice creams are two clever ideas being used to help keep things normal for people with learning disabilities.

Social distancing and lockdown has meant a change to the normal for everyone, with tenants in Supported Living accommodation also having to adapt.

But those with learning difficulties have the added difficulty of relying on routine to help them through the day.

Staff from Worcestershire County Council and its external providers have been coming up with inventive ways to help them adjust to the new arrangements.

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In Droitwich, The Burrows supported living scheme houses autistic adults and adults with complex needs. In an effort to maintain normality and boost morale, the team worked with their colleagues at their sister residential care home, Upper Ford Lodge, to create their very own ice cream van.

They decorated a van to look like a real ice cream van which lifted spirits and dished out a selection of tasty treats.

Meanwhile, Vale Place in Evesham, is home for around 13 younger adults with learning disabilities and they delighted their community and each other by decorating their outside walls with a colourful rainbow.

Becky Keen, team leader at Vale Place, said: “Everyone here got involved with colouring the rainbow for our keyworkers.

"It has really lifted spirits with the tenants and the community as cars beeped their horns as they drove past.”

Adrian Hardman, cabinet member for adult social care said: “We are really pleased with how tenants in supported living have been coping under these conditions.

"This is a testament to the dedication of staff who have been coming up with these creative and inspiring ideas to help those they support cope under these pressures.”