3.2 The importance of loving relationships

Why is it important for people to have a loving relationship? In the next activity, you will hear from some people with learning disabilities about why it matters to them.

Activity _unit8.3.3 Activity 7 Valentine’s day

Timing: Allow about 10 minutes

Watch this video about romantic relationships by self-advocacy group My Life My Choice then answer the questions that follow.

Download this video clip.Video player: Video 7

Show transcript|Hide transcript

Transcript: Video 7

[MUSIC PLAYING]

WOMAN 1

Relationships make you feel happy. A relationship can be a friend, or a family member, or a boyfriend, or a girlfriend.

WOMAN 2

Or a husband and wife, or whatever makes you happy.

WOMAN 1

I never thought I'd get married, but now I've been married 20 years and I'm very happy.

WOMAN 2

Relationships make you feel happy.

WOMAN 1

Positive.

WOMAN 2

And part of something.

WOMAN 1

It's nice to have someone there to support me or support them.

WOMAN 2

And it's nice to have somebody that shares the same interest as you and to go out for walks and do nice things. It's nice to have a bit of company and somebody to the look after you.

WOMAN 1

It's nice to have someone there to cook your meals.

WOMAN 2

If you're lucky.

WOMAN 1

Being on your own can make you really sad.

WOMAN 2

Nobody to share your life with.

WOMAN 1

Don't belong.

WOMAN 2

Lonely.

WOMAN 1

Only three percent of people with a learning disability live with a partner or in a relationship.

WOMAN 2

People with learning disabilities are just like everybody else.

WOMAN 1

And they should have a right to have a relationship like anyone else.

WOMAN 2

We have been looking at relationships for people with learning disabilities.

WOMAN 1

Yes!

WOMAN 1

We have worked with the NDTi to look at relationships. We work with a national development team for inclusion.

WOMAN 2

The NDTi.

[CHEERING]

WOMAN 1

We spoke to over 60 people from Oxfordshire that have a learning disability.

WOMAN 1

They have spoken to people who have disabilities, families, carers, and support staff.

WOMAN 2

And we have spoken to commissioners and care providers.

WOMAN 1

To have a romantic relationship.

WOMAN 2

We have found out that some people have had a relationship and we were happy about that.

WOMAN 1

I tell people there's a lot of people still out there that don't have a relationship.

WOMAN 2

We have found lots of barriers.

WOMAN 1

And lots of things that stop people from having a relationship.

WOMAN 1

We are writing up our research.

WOMAN 2

And we will share it with you when we've finished.

WOMAN 2

All you need is love. [VOCALISING]

ALL

All you need is love.

WOMAN

Love.

End transcript: Video 7

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Video _unit8.3.3 Video 7

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1. According to the people in the film, what are the benefits of being in a relationship?

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Answer

According to the people in the film, the benefits of being in a romantic relationship include making you feel happy and wanted ‘and a part of something’. Relationships also help you to feel supported. It’s about having a companion and having someone to do nice things with, and someone to share your interests with.

2. What do they say are the downsides to being on your own?

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Answer

The people in the film said that not being in a relationship can make you sad. It can make you feel lonely.

People with learning disabilities have a right to family life. They want their sexuality and sexual lives to be respected. It’s important that people with learning disabilities get equal access to good sex education and relationship advice. But it’s also important that the people who support them access good guidance and training too.