Learning Disabilities Week 2025 Launch Party

Learning Disability Week is an annual initiative led by Mencap, designed to raise awareness, challenge stigma and celebrate the talents and contributions of people who have a learning disability. The theme for 2025 is “Do you see me?” which aims to highlight the importance of visibility, representation and understanding.

Sheffield City Council has been working in partnership with ArtWorks to develop a programme of events to celebrate people with a learning disability – see the link for further information on the events scheduled so far and please keep checking the link as more information will be added as other activities are arranged.

The week long festivities will begin with a launch event with speakers, performances and activities. The event is free but please book as there are limited spaces.

10:00am Speakers:

• Cllr Tom Hunt – Leader of Sheffield City Council
• Marie Knott – expert by experience and employee at Sheffield City Council
• Terri-Leigh Kilner – expert by experience and co-chair of Sheffield’s Learning Disabilities Board
• Kayleigh Cruickshank (Founder) and Emma Harnett (Development Manager) – ArtWorks South Yorkshire | Creative Arts Organisation | England
• Sam Clarke – (Chief Executive) Learning Disability England – Stronger, Louder, Together!

10:45am Performance:

A group from the Sheffield Voices - Home drama group will be performing extracts from their most recent play examining advocacy.

11:00am Refreshments

11:10am Activity:

Sunflower making workshop led by ArtWorks – The sunflower is a globally recognised symbol for non-visible disabilities or invisible disabilities that was established in the UK in 2016.

Please note timings are approximate and could be subject to change. If you have any queries relating to the launch event please contact the organising team at scapLD@sheffield.gov.uk