Big Event 2016

On Tuesday 6^th December 2016, Wiltshire People 1^st held their annual Big Meeting at Trowbridge Rugby Club.

Along with 38 of our members, Councillor Sheila Parker and other invited guests from Wiltshire Council and HealthWatch Wiltshire came and heard what Wiltshire People 1^st had been working on  in 2016.

We had made a DVD, Our Year in Pictures, which showed how busy we have been.  We also heard reports from some of our members who very bravely stood up in front of everyone to tell us about the different projects that they had been involved in this year. These included Together in Trowbridge, talking to the University of Bath students, Our Lives, Our History, the work with HealthWatch Wiltshire and our Paralympics-themed summer advocacy event.

Chris Coe speaks about working with HealthWatch Wiltshire

Terry Bracher from the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre was our guest speaker and talked about the “hidden history” of people with learning difficulties. He spoke about how important it is for everyone to be involved and represented in their community.

We then split into groups for the workshops. We followed the theme of the International Day of Disabled People which is “Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want”. People came up with lots of good ideas about how we can help ourselves and others and who else we could ask to help us work together to bring about change. Suggestions included supporters, local councillors, the government and even the Queen!

Terry Bracher joins members Symon and Ian for the Workshops

After a buffet lunch, we were entertained by the Wiltshire People First Makaton Choir with their performance of two signed songs they were very good especially as they had only had a few practices beforehand. Gareth Mallone watch out!

WPF Makaton Choir

We ended the afternoon with a Christmas sing-a-long and went home happy with a goody bag and newsletter.

Linda and Andrew