This year, our Learning Disability Projects, including Asking You!, will be involved in and leading events for Leeds Learning Disability Week 2025. The week runs from Monday 16th June to Sunday 22nd June.

Here is some information on the events we will be involved in during the week, including when and where they are taking place and how to get involved.

Leeds Learning Disability People’s Parliament: Council Chambers Takeover

  • When: Tuesday 17th June, 10am to 12 Noon
  • Where: Council Chambers, Leeds Civic Hall, Calverley Street, Leeds LS1 1UR

This is the takeover of the Council Chambers that happens every year. This meeting gives adults with learning disabilities in Leeds an opportunity to speak to local councillors and raise their concerns with them. The meeting is being organised by our Asking You! team.

If you are interested in joining, please email the Asking You! team at askingyou@advonet.org.uk or call our office on 0113 244 0606 and ask for Imogen or Alex.

People in Action will be running a live stream of the meeting at this link: Council Chamber Takeover stream

Learning Disability Pride March

  • When: Tuesday 17th June, starting at 12:45pm
  • Where: From the Leeds Civic Hall to Kirkgate Market

This is the second time there has been a Learning Disability Pride March in Leeds. The first one was held last year. It is being organised by our friends from Connect in the North and starts after the Council Chambers Takeover, from the Civic Hall.

If you would like to join, please email the Connect in the North team at info@citn.org.uk or call them on 0113 270 3233.

LIFE Project’s Self-Advocacy in Employment course

  • When: For three weeks starting on Thursday 19th June from 10:30am to 12:30pm
  • Where: The Advonet Group, Unity Business Centre, 26 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS7 1AB

This Thursday, our LIFE employment project is running a three-week course. It is for adults with learning disabilities in Leeds and about self-advocacy in employment.

The course covers rights at work, reasonable adjustments and working well together. There are three sessions, with the next two on Thursday 26th June and Thursday 3rd July.

If you or someone you work with would like to come, please book by emailing life@advonet.org.uk or calling our office on 0113 244 0606 and asking for either Laura or Imogen.

Being Social Marketplace

  • When: Thursday 19th June from 11am to 3pm
  • Where: Kirkgate Market, New York Street, Leeds LS2 7HY – near the Market Kitchen area

This is a free event that will have information stalls from local services about social opportunities for adults with learning disabilities in Leeds. We will have a stall at the event.

The marketplace is organised by Forum Central and Connect in the North. If you would like to attend, all you need to do is come along in person!

Monthly Club Night

  • When: Thursday 19th June from 6:30pm to 9:30pm
  • Where: Popworld Leeds, 43 Cookridge Street, Leeds LS2 3AW
  • Tickets: £10 on the door; carers/support go for free

Our Learning Disability Projects’ monthly Club Night at Popworld is on as normal! It’s for adults with a learning disability in Leeds and will have a fancy dress theme of summer. They’re also welcoming a new DJ called Joe and a singer called Clare will be performing.

For any questions about the Club Night, please email Hazel at Hazel.Bailey@advonet.org.uk or call our office on 0113 244 0606 and ask for Hazel.

Picnic in the Park

  • When: Friday 20th June from 11am to 2pm
  • Where: Temple Newsam Park, Temple Newsam Drive, Leeds LS15 0AD

This is an annual event run by Aspire CBS. Our Learning Disability Projects will have a stall there. At the picnic, there will be information stalls for local services and fun activities, as well as a little live music.

More information about the event will be on the Aspire CBS website. Please contact them if you have any questions.

Other events

There are all kinds of events happening during Leeds Learning Disability Week. They include social events, sports events and even concerts!

Our friends from Through the Maze have put together a calendar of these events on their website. To see it, please click here: Events calendar.