Learning Disability Week Events
15/06/2012
To mark Learning Disability Week, the Southern Trust is supporting a series of events and activities for adults with a learning disability and their carers. In Bessbrook, clients of the Animal Rehoming Centre (ARC) are planning an information day at Derrymore House on Monday 18 June. Clients have invited their families and friends to see the secret garden and wildlife habitat they they’ve developed over the last 18 months at the National Trust estate outside Newry. There is also a vegetable garden, tree nursery, orchard, and lavender which the clients are planning to harvest and sell.Service users from Banbridge Social Education Centre are planning a sponsored walk in aid of Concern Worldwide during the Week. The walk will take place on Friday 22 June in Solitude Park in Banbridge.
In Dungannon, staff at Oakridge Social Education Centre have organised a Sensory Morning in the Intensive Support Unit on Wednesday 20 June from 10am-12 noon.
Eithne McAtarsney, Day Worker at the Intensive Support Unit, says: “The morning will include live cookery session, Mid-Summer Night drama, aromatherapy and massage sessions and the launch of our ceramic arts care project. We will also be acknowledging the support we’ve received from Dungannon Rotary Club and other friends of the Centre.”
Speech and Language Therapist Julie Ann Kelly will be providing awareness raising session for parents and carers at Oakridge Social Education Centre during its Mid-Summer Coffee Morning on Thursday 21 June which starts at 11am.
Windsor Day Centre staff and clients in Newry are hosting a Makaton and rainbow-themed coffee morning on Tuesday 19 June from 10am to 11.30am for family members, friends and work colleagues.
Carmel McGrath, Windsor Day Centre Manager, explains: “We are trying to raise awareness of the use of Makaton in our centre and all menus have been printed with the sign and symbol for that item. Visitors have been issued with the Makaton signs with their invitation and will be encouraged to use them at the coffee morning. Everyone is being encouraged to wear their favourite bright colours. Any donations will go towards the service user charitable gifts account.”
Coalisland Day Centre is hosting a Coffee Morning from 11am-12 noon on Wednesday 20 June.
Appleby Social Education Centre in Armagh is holding a fun morning on Friday 29 June from 10.30am to 12pm.
Pamela McCall at the Centre has organised a visit by Phil’s Mobile Farm and the animals will be interacting with clients and carers in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
A barbecue at the Animal Rehoming Centre in Bessbrook will take place on Thursday 5 July from 7.30-10pm.
Clients and staff at Bannvale Social Education in Gilford are organising a Very Special Olympics in July.
The recently published review of health and social care in Northern Ireland, Transforming Your Care, recommends the development of a more diverse range of day support for adults with a learning disability.
