Giving Access All Areas to people who are autistic and/or have a learning disability
Buckinghamshire Council is pleased to announce that its popular Access All Areas event is back for 2023.
Aimed exclusively at people in Buckinghamshire who are autistic and/or have a learning disability, the event is designed to ensure people are aware of the range of services and support available and to encourage healthy lifestyles and wellbeing.
Currently in Buckinghamshire there are over 2,400 people with learning difficulties and over 5,000 autistic people, many of whom are not accessing activities or services available to them. The Access All Areas event aims to showcase the fantastic range of services which can help support people who are autistic or have additional needs, to live a fulfilled, independent and healthy life.
Run in partnership with Buckinghamshire Integrated Care Board, this year Access All Areas will be held in two locations. The first event takes place at The Gateway in Aylesbury on 16th October between 10am and 4pm and the second event takes place in High Wycombe at the Highcrest Academy on 26th October, from 10am to 4pm. The free events are aimed at autistic children, young people, and adults and/or those with a learning disability. Carers, family members, friends and care workers are also encouraged to attend.
Both events will feature information stands and interactive learning activities from charities and services who work to support and promote equality for autistic people and/or those who have a learning disability. This includes NHS teams who will be promoting health checks and other checks that can be done at home. These checks are a proactive way of picking up on health concerns and preventing more concerns, helping people with learning disabilities stay as healthy as possible. Health professionals will be on hand to talk through what to expect from an annual health check and answer questions. Other highlights at the event include sporting activities open to everyone and advice on how to get your voice heard to make changes within public services.
There will be designated breakaway areas for anyone needing some time-out and specific quiet hours between 10am to 11am and 3pm to 4pm.
Angela Macpherson, Chairperson of Buckinghamshire’s Health and Wellbeing Board and Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: “With over 40 exhibitors from health, care, housing, fitness, social and wellbeing sectors and plenty of hands-on demonstrations, the event is a must for anyone with a learning disability”.
“If you, a loved one, or a friend can benefit from the Access All Areas event, please come along or encourage others to do so to see what’s on offer. These events are a real must for anyone with a learning disability and their carers so be sure to book your place.”
Dr Sian Roberts, Mental Health, and Learning Disability Clinical Director for Buckinghamshire said: “People with a learning disability have worse physical and mental health than people without a learning disability. Our challenge is to close this gap and to reduce the numbers of people who die prematurely from preventable causes.”
“Access All Areas will showcase the fantastic range of services that is available for people with learning disabilities in Buckinghamshire that can support living and staying well.”
Dr Roberts encourages anyone with a learning disability to have an annual health check to screen for any developing health problems and then be supported to live a healthy lifestyle.
You can book your free Access All Areas tickets online:
North Bucks (Aylesbury) 16 October
South Bucks (High Wycombe) 26 October
For more information on the Access All Areas events visit the website.https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/campaign/access-all-areas/