Active Prospects teamed up with The Pro-Active Community sharing HOPE for the future at the 2021 Learning Disability England Conference. The conference was hosted over three days. It explored how the learning disability community can challenge and change the inequalities that they have encountered through the pandemic.
The Pro-Active group, the Include Choir and members of The Aldingbourne Trust, came together on the 9th March, to present a moving video about their experiences over the last year. Despite the difficulties and many challenges that people with learning disabilities have faced during the pandemic, there is plenty of hope on the horizon.
Sharing Hope
Speakers from the group include Leanne Yeo, Elizabeth Wheeler, Michael McLachlan, and Peter Martin. Pro-Active Chair, Elizabeth Wheeler, introduced the visual experience of how the pandemic has affected them. They told what their hopes are for after the easing of lockdown restrictions. This was summed up in a heartfelt poem written by Peter Martin and a signed song led by Include Choir. The audience expressed comments such as “Wow what an incredible poem”; “It’s such a beautiful poem and video”; “inspiring words, very emotive”; “Tingling after that video!”
Other fantastic guest speakers included Saba Salman, author giving people with learning disability a voice using their words, and athlete and fitness coach Dan Pepper. The message conveyed is to think big and want better things for the future. Also, to put ideas forward and make them happen.
The Pro-Active Community was set up by Active Prospects support, a charity that provides care and support to enable people with learning disabilities or autism to lead aspiring lives. In 2020, Pro-Active became its own independent registered charity. It is led by people who have lived experiences of learning disability and autism. Everyone is given an equal voice and the chance to be heard.
You can see the video for the day here https://youtu.be/DowJG_Cf-Mk
