Cwm Taf Morgannwg Comes Together for Learning Disability Week
Learning Disability Week launches today (16th June 2025) to recognise and celebrate the voices, experiences, and contributions of people with learning disabilities.
This year’s theme, “Do You See Me?”, led by Mencap, promotes the importance of seeing, hearing, and valuing people with learning disabilities in all aspects of life.
Across Cwm Taf Morgannwg, organisations are marking the week with a range of events—from quizzes and conversations about health and wellbeing, to creative activities like songwriting.
In Merthyr, the Community Learning Disability Team at Keir Hardie Health Park will host a quiz and showcase a year-long health challenge delivered in partnership with advocacy organisation, Cwm Taf People First. The initiative supported people with learning disabilities to make healthier lifestyle choices, with participants reporting better exercise and eating habits.
In addition, learning disability physiotherapists will also be selling produce from their gardening group at Keir Hardie.
The week supports a key priority in the Welsh Government’s Learning Disability Strategic Action Plan (2022–2026), which is to improve access to and uptake of Annual Heath Checks.
People with a learning disability often experience poorer physical and mental health and may face barriers in accessing the care and support they need.
Annual Health Checks can improve health outcomes for people with learning disabilities by encouraging conversations around healthy lifestyles and concerns about health and wellbeing.
During an Annual Health Check, a doctor or nurse will review the person’s health profile alongside them. They may then check heart and blood pressure, ask about medicines and food, take blood or urine samples, and ask about their wellbeing. At the end of the appointment, a health action plan will be filled out to support the person to stay healthy.
A new song—to be written this week—will bring these experiences to life.
To support this, as a partnership we will be working with local organisations to gather insights into people’s awareness and experiences of Annual Health Checks.
These insights will identify examples of good practice that can be shared across the region and inform further communications materials that will be co-produced with people with learning disabilities, parents, carers and healthcare professionals.
Last year, we partnered with Cwm Taf People First and Dr Hall from Ashgrove Surgery in Pontypridd to create a short film explaining what to expect at an Annual Health Check.
The film can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/sffKnEoo1gY
All these activities reflect our continued efforts to create an inclusive Cwm Taf Morgannwg—a region where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported.
For more information about our work to support people with learning disabilities, please visit our website: https://ctmregionalpartnershipboard.co.uk/priority-areas-learning-disabilities/
We are proud to be members of
Co-Production Network for Wales.
We are proud to be members of
Co-Production Network for Wales.