Thanks to Tim from Hampshire Constabulary for details of this event taking place on the mainland this weekend which may be of interest to Islanders. Ed
A festival to celebrate the skills, talents and creativity of people with a learning disability in Hampshire is being held in the New Forest this month.
FestAble is a free event in Totton open to everyone on Saturday, May 19, and is aimed at people with a disability, their friends, family and carers.
It’s organised by the Stable Family Home Trust (SFHT), Hampshire Learning Disability Partnership Board and supported by Hampshire Constabulary.
2011 a successful event
SFHT Chief Executive Jan Mills said: “Anyone who attended the inaugural FestAble last year will agree that it was a very successful event – a reflection of what true community integration can be for people with learning disabilities.
“SFHT has been pleased to organise FestAble 2012 and a lot of effort has been put in to ensure that this year’s event is even bigger and better than last year’s. At SFHT we support people to lead ordinary lives with some extraordinary moments. We hope that FestAble 2012 will be another of those ‘extraordinary moments’.”
Proud to be supporting FestAble
PCSO Steve Hill is one of Hampshire Constabulary’s Disability Champions and is organising the force’s involvement in the event. “We’re proud to be supporting FestAble again this year. It’s an opportunity for us to meet the people in our communities, find out about the issues affecting them such as anti-social behaviour and bullying and encourage them to report crimes.
“Our uniform try-ons and vehicle displays always prove very popular. It’s a good way of breaking down some of the barriers people have about approaching the police.”
Cllr Felicity Hindson, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Hampshire County Council, through the Learning Disability Partnership Board is proud to support this event as it gives people with a learning disability a chance to celebrate their lives and take part in activities that can help them become more independent. In previous years it has given people a real boost in confidence and a chance to meet new friends.”
FestAble is on Saturday, May 19, at Sunnyfields, Jacobs Gutter Lane, Totton, SO40 9FX, between 11am and 4pm. Entrance is free. For more information, please contact the SFHT on 01425 478043.
Report problems
If you’ve been assaulted, threatened or intimidated because of disability, you can report it to the police. Call 101 or 999 in an emergency. People with hearing impairments can text 80999
Follow Hampshire Constabulary’s Disability Champions on Twitter @DisabilityChamp
Image: © Hampshire Constabulary Festable, May 2011
