Rainbow Living launches support for Learning Disability Week 2015

Exeter-based charity Rainbow Living are proud to be supporting Learning Disability Week 2015, taking place 15-21 June, and are encouraging people in Devon to ‘Hear My Voice’ as some of the people the charity supports share their stories to help raise awareness of learning disability.

On Thursday 11th June, a team of executives from Exeter Family Friendly will launch the start of awareness about LDW by cycling 72 miles for Rainbow Living, stopping on route at Exeter Family’s offices to launch the week with Rainbow Living and the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Lesley Robson.

The Exeter Family team are hoping the cycle challenge will raise £2,000 for Rainbow Living – the organisation’s Charity of the Year, all of which will go towards a third Rainbow house and help another group of young adults’ transition from their family home to the community.

Friday 19th June is LDW’s ‘Day of Action’ and in support of this nation-wide event, Rainbow Living will be writing to Ben Bradshaw MP to highlight the issues affecting people with learning disability.

Throughout the whole week tenants will be sharing their stories about what it means to them to live in a Rainbow house, offering a rare insight about the pride they feel in being able to make choices about where they live, respect for the homes they have created, and in their right to live full and active lives. You can show your support for the week by following their stories on Facebook www.facebook.com/rainbowlivingcharity, Twitter @_rainbowliving and YouTube, or by visiting www.rainbowliving.org.uk.

“We believe that everyone should have choice and control over their lives, including the right to an influence over where and with whom they live – something often denied to people with a learning disability. We support adults with disabilities, mainly learning disability, by providing accommodation to enable peer supported living within the community, empowering them to progress into adulthood in the same way as their peers and making a home of their own” says Ruth Airdrie, one of the Trustees.

She adds: “To celebrate Learning Disability Week, we would like to encourage people everywhere to listen to our tenants as they share their stories about what it means to them to live in a Rainbow house, showing that – with the right care and support - disability is no barrier to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives, as independently as possible within the community.”

“We are very grateful to Exeter Family for the support they are giving to launch awareness of this week on our behalf, and would encourage everyone to sponsor the team on their cycle challenge via www.justgiving.com/ExeterFamilyFriendly.” You can follow Exeter Family’s progress on their blog www.exeter-family.tumblr.com, Facebook www.facebook.com/exeterfamily and Twitter @exeterfamily .