Learning Disability Week 2023: Celebrating achievements of people across Wakefield District

This week (19 to 25 June 2023) is Learning Disability Week – with the theme about showing the incredible things people with a learning disability achieve every single day.

The Wakefield District Learning Disability Awards take place on Thursday 22 June, to coincide with the week, and will shine a light on some of the fantastic personal achievements of people locally.

Debbie Gittins, Strategic Health Facilitation Lead, and Cath Horbury, Peer Support Worker, are part of the team based at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust who work to improve health and experiences for adults with a learning disability in Wakefield District.

When asked what their message would be to people on how to better support those with a learning disability more, they said:

“Don’t judge people from their appearance. We are capable of more than you think.

“Give people with learning disabilities opportunities to show what they can do.”

Part of the Adult Community Learning Disability Health Team’s role is to work with teams in primary care to ensure learning disability health checks are done thoroughly.

Cath and Debbie recently presented in front of primary care network leaders from across the North East and Yorkshire, after Wakefield District was selected as an area of excellence for partnership working.

Meanwhile Cath is also a volunteer for the patient experience group and sits on a panel to make sure materials are accessible or ‘easy read’ for those with a learning disability.

Cath said she has discovered her own strengths because of her learning disability, saying:

“I get to present and represent people with a learning disability at regional events and I love doing this.

“I have also met the Royal Family while with Mencap in London which made me feel privileged.
“I do like to please people, and I am always fully committed to getting my job done.”