First up, best dressed

Daniel Docherty
University of Manchester Partnership Steering Group

An old black and white photo showing lines of beds in a dorminary

Dormitory, Male Ward, Calderstones

I will talk about my experiences of arriving at Calderstones, an institution for people with learning difficulties in Lancashire at the age of six.

My description of life within the institution is in start contrast to the NHS Trust publication from Calderstones 75 Years of Supporting People with Learning Disability, 1921-1996.

I will present visual images of the institution and recollect my daily experiences until the age of 16 when I left. I question whether we have really left the institutions behind. I also look at the impact they have on shaping people's lives.

View Daniel's presentation (PDF)

Contact us

About the Group

If you woud like to get in touch with the Social History of Learning Disability (SHLD) Research Group, please contact:

Liz Tilley 
Chair of the Social History of Learning Disability (SHLD) Research Group
School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care
Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA

About the website

If you have any feedback or would like to report a problem with the website, please contact WELS-Research-Admin@open.ac.uk.