Interactive event for people who are ‘differently abled’, friends, family, carers

Third year learning disability student Zoe Graham writes:

On Thursday the 14 February at Bonus Arena, Hull, City Health Care Partnership CIC in partnership with other local health organisations hosted the second interactive event open to everyone, including people who are ‘differently abled’, friends, family, carers to find out more about what services can do for them. There were approximately 2,500 attendees which is a huge increase from the previous year !

There were over 200 stalls held by a range of services, who were there to help and advise those who attended. This was also with the aim to spread awareness of other services to a range of professions. There were several different areas that services were providing aid to the public, this included; Children Zone, Adult Zone, Day and Night Zone, Carers Zone and Communication Zone. The various areas were providing support around aspects such as transition, communication and health advice and information.

At the event there was also the opportunity for everyone involved to gain an insight in to the life of someone with Autism or Dementia with the inclusion of the fantastic Autism and Dementia experience buses. These gave anyone who used them the opportunity to understand their family member, friend or patient in greater depth.

At the entrance to Bonus Arena there was an 80ft inflatable bowel and in the main market area there were 15ft inflatable lungs. These resources gave people the opportunity to see anatomy in a more interactive and fun perspective.

One of the most memorable aspects to the event was the 2,500-person strong flash mob of Makaton. The song that was chosen to be signed was ‘This is me’ from the Greatest Showman. The flash mob would not have had the success without Megan Foot, who organised and taught many the signs to the song; this included the YouTube video created by Megan which received over 3,000 views. BBC Radio Humberside attended on the day and their coverage of the flash mob received a massive 136,000 views! The flash mob was an emotional moment and something that many will remember for time to come.

As a progression from last year, there was the inclusion of a conference. The conference was created with the aim to spread awareness, to over 500 GP’s and other professions, the importance of learning disability awareness and the use of Annual Health Checks.

Students from the University of Hull were actively involved leading up to and on the day of the event. All students who attended assisted services and members of the public, ensuring they had a positive and memorable experience.

Overall the day was a monumental and influential success which will hopefully change health and social care services for the better!

A special thank you should be made to Suzanne Nicholls, Sam Benstead, Michaela Marr, Megan Foot and all of the amazing volunteers and conference speakers for making the day such a success.