Celebrating Learning Disability Week 2025
Today marks the start of Learning Disability Week, an annual campaign that aims to raise awareness about learning disabilities in the UK.
The event is organised by charity Mencap to share the experiences of people who have a learning disability and celebrate what people with learning disabilities bring to society.
The theme for Learning Disability Week 2025 is ‘Do you see me?’, which acknowledges the importance of people with a learning disability being seen, heard and valued.
June is also Learning Disability Pride Month, an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements and contributions of all people with learning disabilities.
In 2020, it was estimated that there were around 5,000 people in Brighton & Hove with a learning disability. This is predicted to rise to 6,400 by 2035.
Learning Disability Week events
Learning Disability Provider Forum
Thursday 19 June, 10am to 12pm, Hove Town Hall.
The Learning Disability Provider Forum meets quarterly and is an opportunity for providers that are commissioned by the council, to come together to network and share best practice, receive updates from Commissioning and other key partners, and support collaboration and partnership working.
The first part of the forum will focus on Social Value and Sustainability for learning disability providers, managers and staff.
To celebrate Learning Disability Week 2025, the second part of the forum will be an open session for adults with learning disabilities to join to showcase or share anything of their choosing.
The session will include musical performances, upcycling projects, Makaton skills, artwork, work experience and more from a range of networks, groups and individuals.
Learning Disability Pride events from Grace Eyre
Graye Eyre, a local charity that support people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health issues, are hosting some exciting events and activities to mark Learning Disability Pride month.
- Learning Disability Pride Party – Friday 20 June, 7pm to 10pm
- Puzzlebored Games Night – Monday 23 June, 5pm to 7pm
For more information and to book tickets, visit Grace Eyre’s website.
Rockets presents: What We Do exhibition
Open from Wednesday to Sunday until 29 June from 11am to 5pm, Phoenix Art Space.
The Rocket Artists, a not-for-profit, artist-led group celebrating diverse identities, abilities and art practices, are hosting a small exhibition to celebrate their 10th year as a Community Interest Company while promoting their services and other programmes.
The What We Do exhibition brings together words and images to showcase the diversity of artworks, artists and ways of working that takes place across their studios, with contributions from over 70 artists, staff and volunteers.
The exhibition will take place in the Window Gallery of Phoenix Art Space outside the Blue Room Studio and next to the cafe.
Get involved
Councillor Mitchie Alexander, Cabinet member for Communities, Equalities, Public Health and Adult Social Care, said: “There are all sorts of exciting and engaging events taking place in Brighton & Hove to mark Learning Disability Week and Learning Disability Pride Month.
“From art exhibitions and disability pride parties, to our Learning Disability Provider Forum, there are lots of ways we can all get involved to celebrate the important achievements and fantastic contributions of all people with learning disabilities.”
Easy read hub
Last year, we launched a new easy read information hub on our website to ensure that Brighton & Hove residents with learning disabilities and their parents, carers and support staff can access key information about council services.
Easy read is an accessible way of sharing information with people with learning disabilities. It uses easy words, short, jargon-free sentences, large text and pictures.
The easy read information hub was created following the publication of the Brighton & Hove Adult Learning Disability Strategy, also known as The Big Plan, in 2021. This was co-produced with the learning disability community and local partners.