An exhibition showcasing the achievements of people with learning disabilities in the Royal Borough has gone on display at Maidenhead Library for Learning Disability Awareness Week, which runs until Sunday 25 June.
Coordinated by the Royal Borough’s Library Service in partnership with charity The Advocacy People, the exhibition also promotes the range of services and resources available to empower and support people with learning disabilities, including what’s provided by the council’s social care partners Optalis and Achieving for Children.
The Learning Disability Achievements Exhibition was officially launched on Friday with an event attended by partner representatives, alongside Councillor Joshua Reynolds, the Cabinet member for Communities and Leisure, and Maidenhead’s MP Theresa May.
The former Prime Minister also presented the annual awards to those Speaking Out group members who have contributed to the Learning Disability Partnership Board by advocating for people with a learning disability in the borough.
The exhibition is up throughout Learning Disability Awareness Week, during normal library opening hours. There are also smaller displays this week at Cox Green, Dedworth, Windsor and Boyn Grove libraries.
The exhibitors are the Library Service, Achieving for Children, Optalis, The Advocacy People, Frimley NHS Learning Disability Team, Speaking Out Group, Manor Green School, Information Advice and Support Service for Children and Young People with SEND, Parallel Windsor, LDPB, Hear Our Voice, Mencap, Healthwatch, and BCA.
Councillor Reynolds said: “Libraries are at the heart of our communities and a fitting setting for the exhibition. Marking Learning Disability Awareness Week, this is a wonderful way to bring together the many local services working with people with learning disabilities, to celebrate the huge amount that people with learning disabilities do achieve and highlight the services that champion and empower them to reach their aspirations.
“People visiting Maidenhead Library will also get the chance to see a portrait of the impressive life-sized lion statue, Mfalme, which was created to celebrate the Coronation by residents with learning disabilities who attend the Optalis Community Lives Day Services.”