A Great Success for the Third Learning Disability Conference

Cheshire West and Chester Council held their third Learning Disability Conference on Thursday the 5th of June.

The event saw over 200 attendees from across the borough with over 150 of the audience being people with a learning disability and front-line care and support workers.  A number of partnership organisations also attended from the NHS, care providers and people managing learning disability services.

Cabinet member for Adult Services Councillor Sheila Little was in attendance and said:

“It was great to see such a varied mix of people at the conference:  people with disabilities, family members, caregivers, professionals, the voluntary sector, and policy makers who were all united by a common purpose, to demonstrate and progress our shared vision for a more inclusive, supportive and accessible borough.

During the day there were a variety of guest speakers, presentations, open discussions, a marketplace and much more, including some amazing entertainment from people with Learning Disabilities and lived experience”.

The attendees had an amazing time, which can be seen in their feedback:

“ I really enjoyed the conference today. The best part was the singer (Elvis) and the buffet especially the spring rolls”

“The conference was really good, my favourite bit was all of it. I enjoyed the Makaton and would like to teach more people about it”

“There were some interesting talks, I really enjoyed Beth’s story and the Lion Salt works presentation. The DJ in the evening was “fantastic” he got everybody up dancing”.

“It was nice to see everyone together and felt like as a community we are achieving good outcomes, the day was fun and interactive, but also meaningful and acknowledged all the hard work people have put in”

The conference was a partnership event between Learning Disabilities Partnership Board, Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Councils’ in-house service Vivo Care Choices, along with local NHS partners.  The aim of the conference is to provide people with Learning Disabilities, and local decision makers, the opportunity to discuss what matters to them and help shape the support they receive.

Director of Vivo Care Choices, Alistair Jeffs said:

“This conference is especially important as everything to do with the event – the planning, the presentations, the discussions, the entertainment and the food – is led by and for people with a learning disability.  It was a truly inspirational day that had a powerful and positive impact on so many of the people who attended.  Definitely one of the highlights of the year!”