People with Learning Disabilities want to lead ordinary lives and do the things that most people take for granted. They want to study at college, get a job, have relationships and friendships, and enjoy leisure activities. Valuing People Now says that people should be supported to live the lives they want as equal citizens in their community. At the same time, the need for families to have support to have their own lives must be recognised.

Valuing People Now says that people should have control over how they want to live and what they want to do. The starting point for this is Person centred planning. This will tell planners what services and supports are needed. As more people take up direct payments and individual budgets, they will be taking decisions for themselves.

There are two separate Community lives Task Groups to represent both the Craven and Harrogate areas. Each Task Group has an action plan which says what they are going to do to help people's lives change.