We asked psychologists how they were using telephone and video calls to support people with learning disabilities and autism, since the Covid-19 lockdown. In all, 95 psychologists answered our questions. Most (80 per cent) psychologists were using telephone to offer support. A little more than half (58 per cent) were using video calls to offer support. Psychologists talked about some problems offering support using video calls, like problems with computers and internet, service users finding it hard to use the video calls, and making sure people felt comfortable talking over video. Psychologists said that using video calls can help to keep in touch and offer support to people with learning disabilities and autism when we cannot meet face to face.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the usefulness of a Healthy Living Group (HLG) for individuals with learning disabilities and mental health problems in an inpatient setting. Design/methodology/approach -Seven sessions were developed. Each session focussed on a different aspect of healthy living, and used psychoeducation and practical skill building to enable individuals to create personalized healthy living plans. Quantitative post-intervention measures and a qualitative focus group were used to determine group participants' learning and enjoyment.Findings -Principles about healthy living were successfully taught in an enjoyable way to individuals with learning disabilities. Factors that enhanced learning and those that created barriers to developing healthy living plans are explored. Practical implications -Individuals with learning disabilities and mental health problems can be supported to develop personalized healthy living plans. Recommendations for further adaptations to the group structure are made, in order to enable others to run successful groups. Originality/value -The HLG is the first of its kind to be developed for individuals with learning disabilities.