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Activities for people with learning disabilities

Living with a learning disability should not stop someone from leading an active and enjoyable life, and from being supported to get out and about in their local community.

Click on the People Who Can Help link in the main menu at the top of the page and you will find a range of organisations and schemes offering activities and other opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

The 18+ Learning Disability Pathway  provides a variety of services that provide activities for people with a learning disability with relevant contact details.

Our Events calendar may also give you some ideas.

Communicating with others can sometimes be difficult for someone with a learning disability, and can lead to frustration. A person with a learning disability will experience the same emotions as anyone else, but may not be able to express them.

Giving someone a creative outlet can help them to express how they're feeling and it can help them to better reflect on what they're feeling and become more self-aware, and this can be particularly true of someone with a learning disability. It can also build independence, autonomy and self-esteem.

Going to music, dance, art or drama classes can also help teach a person with learning disabilities how to interact with others and how to follow instructions.

Children with learning disabilities may not only have different psychological needs from typically developing adults, but they also may have different physical needs due to other health problems. Exercising or playing a sport is a great way to stay fit and healthy and can help provide a fun environment to teach social skills. There are a number of specialist sports clubs and centres for people with learning disabilities.

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Mencaphave produced an an easy-read guide with information and advice on how people with learning disabilities can get involved in sports.

There are a number of different venues, day centres and youth clubs available for people with learning disabilities. They host a range of fun activities and often provide education and learning opportunities, such as teaching skills for independent living like cooking.

You can look at our Going out page for people with learning disabilities to find out more. Or check what's happening locally on our Events page.

Small Good Stuff is an online directory which showcases small organisations and groups that offer care, support or activities.  You can search by postcode to see what support and activities local micro-enterprises are providing in the borough:

There are many activities and venues which offer concession prices or free entry for carers of people with learning disabilities. You can read our page on discounted resources to find out more.

Changing Places Toilets enable anyone, regardless of their disability, to go to the shops, attend hospital appointments, enjoy community life, socialise and travel.

People with profound and multiple learning disabilities or with physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis often need extra equipment and space to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably.

You can find their locations on the Changing Places Toilets website.

Last updated: 19/03/2024
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