WIRRAL brought together people from across the borough who have learning disabilities and their families to mark Learning Disability Week.

The week which was held from June 20-26 was designed to help break down the barriers people with a learning disability can face when developing friendships and relationships.

Events included a drop-in lunch, a ‘Crafternoon Tea’ and an open day event with neighbouring organisation ‘Happy Times Activities’, who deliver sensory, relaxation and yoga sessions.

Sharon Nicholson of Wirral Mencap who helped organise the event said: “The ‘Picnic in the Park was fantastic.

“We had so many people from the local area join us. There was a face painting stall, a visit from Mickey and Minnie Mouse and a whole afternoon of music from local performers including the VOX Choir, based at the New Brighton Light Cinema.”

“It was the perfect finish to a week of events that celebrated the importance of friendship and community involvement for everyone, including those with a learning disability who can often be socially isolated.”

The Mayor of Wirral, Councillor Pat Hackett joined in on the celebrations at the Crafternoon Tea on Thursday, when he visited Wirral Mencap to meet its members, volunteers and staff.

While he was there, he added his fingerprint to its ‘Friendship Tree, to celebrate this year’s theme of friendship.

The grand finale took place on Saturday June 25 with a ‘Picnic in the Park’ in the Walled Garden at Wallasey Central Park.

The event was held in partnership with Options for Supported Living and was attended by visitors including people with a learning disability, their families and members of the local community.

These events were part of a whole host of activities planned across the country for Learning Disability Week, which is organised annually by the charity Mencap.

This year’s aim of Learning Disability Week was to highlight the barriers people with a learning disability can face when making friendships and relationships.

It aimed to gain an understanding of what causes almost one in three people with a learning disability to spend less than one hour a day outside their homes on a Saturday.

For more information on Learning Disability Week visit www.mencap.org.uk/learningdisabilityweek