King Alfred date for fun healthy living event for people with learning disabilities

Brighton & Hove’s biggest and most fun event for people with learning disabilities is back for a fifth year.

Best of Health! on Thursday 23 June takes place from 10am to 3pm at the King Alfred Centre, Kingsway, Hove BN3 2WW.

It is a free event promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and offering access to a range of activities and advice for people with learning disabilities.

There is no need to book in advance, you can simply come along on the day.

Organised by Brighton and Hove City Council’s public health team, Best of Health! is open to anyone with learning disabilities, as well as family and carers who are interested in finding out more about how to stay healthy.

The information, advice and activities available on the day are all tailored to be fun and informative for people with learning disabilities.

Activities include hula hooping, dance, games based on football and cricket, boccia, Zumba and yoga. Around 20 different locally based organisations are running information stalls.

There are free soft drinks such as non-alcoholic cocktails, a healthy snack making workshops and even goody bags to take home (while stocks last). The event is supported by Sussex County Cricket Club and Albion in the Community.

Ian lives in Hove and has been a regular at recent Best of Health! events. He also acts as a volunteer, giving out information about local charity Speak Out that supports him. Ian said:

“I like going round the stalls, seeing friends and having a drink. My dad had cancer, and last year I was able to find out about whether that affected me at all.”

Best of Health! takes place during national Learning Disability Week and this year’s national theme is friendships and relationships. One of the best ways to stay healthy and keep commitments to lifestyle changes is to take up activities with friends.

The chair of Brighton & Hove’s health and wellbeing board, Councillor Dan Yates, said: “There are more than 4,000 people with learning disabilities living in Brighton & Hove. We want to make sure these people have an inclusive experience of accessing healthy living services in the city.

“The Best of Health! event is always fun and a great way to find out about new ways to be healthy. There’s a lot to see and do in a friendly setting.

“The enthusiastic staff and volunteers are looking forward to meeting new people and welcoming back those already committed to living a healthy lifestyle. It’s going to be a great day.”