To mark Learning Disability Week, on Tuesday 18th June Edgware-based CommunitySpace Day Centre for adults with learning disabilities, organised and hosted an open day on the theme of ‘My Health Matters’.

Over 150 guests attended the event including the adults that they support, their family members and friends. Partners working in the allied fields of mental and physical health across the Borough of Barnet were also invited, such as the Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Healthwatch Barnet, Mencap Barnet, Barnet Carers, and YCB Care Homes. The partners introduced themselves to the invited audience through introductory talks followed by question-and-answer sessions, information stalls, and free health checks including on site breast cancer screening, blood pressure monitoring and BMI scoring.

There was also an indoor quiet zone offering free pampering sessions with gentle hand and foot massage. While for the more energetic, there was a DJ blasting out tunes to dance and sing along to in the sunny outdoor space.

Special guest Kathleen Isaac, Director of Operations at the Community Health Trust CLCH, opened the event and said, “I’m delighted to be here today, it’s a great partnership event to focus on the health of people with learning disabilities which is often missed or overlooked. It is so important that people learning disabilities have equal access to healthcare to ensure that they get the best outcomes in life.”

N, a service user commented, “Today was good, I went to see people on the mental health stall and I found them very helpful.”

David Sewell, Service Manager at CommunitySpace said, “What a fantastic opportunity for our vulnerable adults in Barnet to learn about the health opportunities available to them in the community. My staff team have worked extremely hard behind the scenes to organise this event. A special thanks to our fantastic sponsor Bugler for their £500 donation which has paid for the lunch and soft drinks for all our guests today.”

Richard Cooper, Contracts Manager for Bugler Developments said, “As a neighbour to CommunitySpace we wanted to make a contribution to today’s excellent event.”

Julie Riley, Group Director of Care & Support, Your Choice Barnet said “What a wonderful day and such a great turnout for this really important event, a big thank you to everyone for making this happen and especially for David and his team who all worked really hard to make this day such a success.”