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A GOLDen Halloween

29 September 2021

The last 18 months have been a particularly challenging time for people with learning disabilities. Compared to the rest of the population, a disproportionately high number of adults with learning disabilities are also very physically vulnerable. Not only has it been difficult to understand why our lives changed so drastically, and so suddenly, but the risk to health has been such that many individuals have had to shield from social interaction more intensively and for longer than the average person. Day groups stopped, discos shut down and a vast range of other activities instantly came to an end. The majority of these still haven’t started up again.

That said, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for anyone with a learning disability who likes a boogie. GOLD Saturdays is a brand new disco, which will be taking place on the last Saturday of each month at St Alban’s Church Hall in Broadheath. Every month there will be a different theme, and 30th October 2021 will inevitably see a Halloween Special taking place, where everyone is encouraged to dress up accordingly. Ordinary Lifestyles, the charity that has just started putting on these regular events, is committed to ensuring people’s lives get back to normal in as safe an environment as possible. As a result, anyone who wants to attend the discos will have to book in advance and will be given a specific socially-distanced table to sit at. In addition, the dance floor will only be frequented by those who are not physically vulnerable and are comfortable enough to mix with others. Anyone not double vaccinated is expected to take a lateral flow test prior to entry (unless exempt).

The first disco, on 25th September 2021, was a trial event at which only individuals supported by Ordinary Lifestyles attended. However, due to its success, the organisers have decided it should be opened up to the wider learning disability community in a way which allows it to grow in a controlled fashion.

Places at the next disco on 30th October 2021 can be booked by calling Andy Dodd on 07971531193 or e-mailing him on andy@ordinary-lifestyles.org.uk. The full address for the disco is St Alban’s Church Hall, Lindsell Road, Broadheath, Altrincham, WA14 5PF