Learning Disability Week: events showcase skills and talents of adults with learning disabilities

Shropshire Council’s day opportunities service are celebrating Learning Disability Week (Monday 19 June to Sunday 25 June 2023) with a host of activities.

This year’s annual campaign is showcasing the incredible things that people with a learning disability can achieve, smashing misconceptions about what people can do, and shining a light on the stigma many still face every day.

Learning Disability Week 2023 graphic

Over the week, adults attending Shropshire Council’s day opportunity centres will be taking part in a wide range of activities in the community, demonstrating the variety of skills and abilities and the contribution they make to local communities.

Events include:

• Abbotts Wood, Shrewsbury – attendees at Abbotts Wood have promoted Learning Disability Week by increasing their presence in the community. Those who attend the service have chosen various activities – including going on a barge trip and going to Cosford. Abbotts Wood have also taken the opportunity to meet up for events with taking part and Albert Road. To top the week off, the team are holding a celebration on Friday 23 June where people who attend the service have planned a day with lots of fun activities taking place.
• Albert Road day opportunities, in Shrewsbury, held a Fun Day. Attendees relished in taking part in skittles, target games and Quoits, enjoying cakes and refreshments as well as raising money for their comfort fund. The team had also been showcasing the fantastic work done with Lovely Lands for the butterfly rainbow alley – a project that has involved and enhanced the local community. The team have on display the work they do with Shrewsbury Sports Village and Wild Team, and activities done on base. This year the team, with the support of Abbots Wood Day Opportunities and other groups, raised £128.73 to buy an environmentally-friendly push reel lawn mower. Throughout last week all attendees have been working very hard on the stone painting project, a sculpture to put in the sensory garden and to celebrate Learning Disability Week.
• Aquamira, Shrewsbury – the team will be putting a feature on their Facebook page every day showing meaningful activities that those who attend the centre enjoy doing. Focusing on what we can do, rather than what we can’t do. We will be highlighting other organisations such as Mencap and Shropshire Day provision. Attendees also took part, for the third year running, in the local Belle Vue Arts Festival.
• Avalon, Oswestry – Bake Off and sports competition.
• Greenacres Farm–  Greenacres Farm, near Baschurch, will be supporting their local community by offering gardening services and inviting people over to see what a fantastic work they’re doing. The team will have some fun too by going to the seaside and celebrate all our achievements by having an afternoon tea.
• Helena Lane –to mark the week, those who attend Helena Lane in Ludlow have created a magazine showcasing their profiles and achievements as well as writings and poems.
• Maesbury Metals – Showcasing the talents of welding and woodwork in the workshop.
• Wayfarers – The day opportunities in Market Drayton have enjoyed two boat trips on the canal this week, and marking the week with group discussions to talk about their likes, dislikes, hobbies and aspirations

Attendees at Albert Road enjoying activities during Learning Disability Week.

Aquamira’s entry for the Belle Vue Arts Festival: Arts and Scarecrow Trail. This year’s theme was ‘Heroes’.

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care, public health and communities, said:-

“This year’s Learning Disability Week showcases the amazing skills and talents of people with learning disabilities.

“The week allows us to come together to really hear what is important to people, to challenge myths and to recognise people’s choices and support them to achieve their ambitions.

“We’ll be hosting lots of activities throughout the week to celebrate this and raising awareness among the wider community, so that people have a better understanding of what it is like to have a learning disability.

“Some of the highlights of the week include gardening services and support in the local community, quizzes, and bake-off events where those who attend our day service will be testing their cooking skills.”

A full list of events celebrating Learning Disability Week 2023 can be found here: Day opportunities/events | Shropshire Council

To find out more about our day opportunities services visit: Day centres | Shropshire Council

To find out more about Learning Disability Week visit: Learning Disability Week | Mencap