Wiltshire Council smashing myths about learning disabilities

There are lots of events and sporting opportunities this week to mark Learning Disability Week 2023

Learning Disabilities and Autism Service at Wiltshire Council
Author: Amber RoderickPublished 19th Jun 2023

Wiltshire Council is helping to smash misconceptions about what people living with a learning disability can do.

This week (19 - 25 June) marks Learning Disability Week.

The council says 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.

They have organised a number of events and sporting opportunities for people with a learning disability to take part in.

It is to provide 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.”

Learning Disabilities and Autism Service at Wiltshire Council

The events:

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 - Kandu-Arts Shop, Chippenham SN15 3JP, 10am to 3pm
  • 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, (take 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 - 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

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