Smashing the myths about living with a learning disability during Learning Disability Week 2023

The focus of this year's Mencap Learning Disability Week is busting myths about what living life with a learning disability is like and highlighting the challenges people still face.

The Council has organised a number of events and sporting opportunities for people with a learning disability to take part in during the week, providing the opportunity to try new activities and demonstrate that there are no limits to what people with a learning disability can do.

Cllr Jane Davies, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said, People living with a learning disability still face stigmas and discrimination about what they can and can't do. Sport and physical activity are areas in which people can demonstrate their capabilities and what they can achieve, dispel some of these myths.

We could not have provided these exciting opportunities for our residents with a learning disability to try new activities without the generous support of local businesses and organisations and I would like to thank Abbeyfield School, the Arc, BMMA Kickboxing, Chippenham Museum, HITZone Fitness, Kandu Arts Centre, Kickboxing Team Applegate, Monkton Park Café, Riverbank Day Centre, Toshi Parsons and the Olympiad Leisure Centre.

Day one - Monday 19 June

• HITZone Fitness Centre, 24-minute workout
  Unit 1A, Four Brooks Business Park, Calne SN11 9PP, 10am and 11am
• Yoga session
  The Olympiad Leisure Centre, 10am
• 16-40 PHAB Karaoke Session
  The Olympiad Leisure Centre, 1.30pm
• Kickboxing Team Applegate MMA
• Coleman Farm Community Centre, Calne SN11 8PF, 6pm

Day two - Tuesday 20 June

• HITZone Fitness Centre, 24-minute workout
  Unit 1A, Four Brooks Business Park, Calne SN11 9PP, 10am and 11am
• Meet and Greet in-house Adult Social Care teams
  Monkton Park Café, Chippenham, 10am
• History Club
  Chippenham Museum, Market Place Chippenham SN15 3HF, 1pm
• BMMA Kickboxing
  40 Foghamshire, Chippenham SN15 1HB, 1pm
• Wellbeing Singing
  Kandu Arts Shop, Chippenham SN15 3JP, 2.30pm

Day three - Wednesday 21 June

• Learning Disability Awareness event
  County Hall, Trowbridge BA14 8JN, 10am - 2pm
• HITZone Fitness Centre, 24-minute workout
  Unit 1A, Four Brooks Business Park, Calne SN11 9PP, 10am, 11am and 1.30pm
• Get Moving - inclusive Yoga and Body Movement
  Calne Community Campus, White Horse Way, Calne, 11am
• Photo Club
  Chippenham Museum, Market Place Chippenham SN15 3HF, 11am
• Meet and Greet in-house Adult Social Care teams
  The Atrium, County Hall, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN,10am - 1.30pm
• Sport Inclusion, fun packed session with relay races, parachute play and more
  The Olympiad Leisure Centre, 1.30pm - 3pm
• Decorating vinyl clocks
  Kandu Arts Shop, Chippenham SN15 3JP, 10am to 3pm
• Art Trail, Salisbury Town Centre - All day

Day four - Thursday 22 June

• AquaFit, swimming
  The Olympiad Leisure Centre, Chippenham SN15 3PA 10.45am
• Get Moving - inclusive Yoga and Body Movement
  Calne Community Campus, White Horse Way, Calne, 11am
• Painting workshop
  Kandu Arts Shop, Chippenham SN15 3JP, 10am to 3pm
• Rock Climbing taster session
  The Arc, Westmead Lane, Chippenham, SN15 3HZ, 5pm
• Art Trail, Salisbury Town Centre - All day

Day five - Friday 23 June

• Wiltshire Inclusive Olympics / Keeping Fit
  Monkton Park, Chippenham, SN15 3PA - 10am
• Picnic in the park, bring along a packed lunch and a blanket
  Monkton Park, 12pm - 1pm
• Chippenham Harries Fun Run/Walk
  Monkton Park, Chippenham, SN15 3PA - 10am
• Get Moving - inclusive Yoga and Body Movement
  Calne Community Campus, White Horse Way, Calne, 11am
• Keep Active Fun Session in collaboration with Abbeyfield School. Meet new people, have fun and try lots of activities
  Riverbank Day Centre, 10am - 12pm
• Rock Climbing taster session
  The Arc, Westmead Lane, Chippenham, SN15 3HZ, 5pm
• Art Trail, Salisbury Town Centre - All day

Day six - Saturday 24 June

• RWB FC Community Football
  New Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 8DS - 9am
• HITZone Fitness Centre, 24-minute workout
  Unit 1A, Four Brooks Business Park, Calne SN11 9PP, 10am, 9.30am, 10.30am and 11.30am
• Decoupage frames
  Kandu Arts Shop, Chippenham SN15 3JP, 10.30am
• Art Trail, Salisbury Town Centre - All day

For more information about these events email Tristan.simpkins@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).

From Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 June there will be an art trail in Salisbury Centre shops.

Find out more about Mencap: Learning Disability Week (opens new window).