The theme is "do you see me?" - it’s all about people with a learning disability being seen, heard and valued
New videos have been launched to celebrate this year’s UK Learning Disability Week.
Scottish charity sector film-makers media co-op have been involved in putting together the films for the event, which takes place in the third week of June every year.
This year’s Learning Disability Week starts today, Monday 16 June.
The theme of Mencap’s Learning Disability Week in 2025 is "do you see me?" - it’s all about people with a learning disability being seen, heard and valued.
One group media co-op has been working with in its series of new films is Music in Hospitals & Care.
“I take the instrument up, not playing it, so they can touch it. They feel the vibrations. They're in control of the thing. They're engaged in the music,” says accordion player Chris Knibbs, in the film.
The video brings to life Music in Hospitals and Care’s vision that everyone can access and experience the joy of live music, showing young people with physical and learning disabilities enjoying a fun live music experience with the charity’s professional musicians at Carmarthen Breakthro’.
“What really stands out is how the children light up with the music. You see the beautiful connection; the trust, the laughter, the way they share each moment. Live music helps to create a shared space where everyone is included and valued,” says Chloe Baker, live music coordinator for Music in Hospitals & Care.
“The children engage in their own way, whether it’s through dancing, clapping, or simply soaking it up. Our musicians are amazing at adapting their approach to each environment.”
The charity brings musicians to thousands of people, from the Highlands to the Channel Isles, who may not otherwise get to experience live music.
“We do a highly interactive session” explains fiddle player Holly Robinson, “we bring lots of instruments for them to have a go and play”.
Cat Riley, Music in Hospitals & Care’s communications and marketing manager, added: "We're so grateful to media co-op for editing our footage into a fantastic video that really communicates what our live music in health and care settings is all about – in just three minutes. We’re all thrilled with the final result."
Other videos by media co-op to raise awareness during Learning Disability Week include:
Discoveries by University researchers are for everyone, including learning disabled people. That’s the message of the short animations and infographics co-produced with adults with Learning Disabilities, with the Scottish Learning Disability Observatory (SLDO).
“The co-producers were fully part of the process” said Fiona Barlow of SLDO. “Members of the group told us they felt included, listened to and safe to speak freely. They really enjoyed when the creative team said ‘here’s what you told us, and here’s what we’ve done with it’, which meant they felt in control of the process from start to finish."
The project won the Inclusive Comms award at the 2024 CharityComms Inspiring Communicator Awards.
Living My Best Life is a video portrait of adults with learning disabilities at St Josephs Services “Everybody deserves to have a good life and get good things going, and we’re here to support that. We leave as much as possible they can do themselves. We don’t take over. They’re independent people”
“This film captures the essence of us. There were bets in the office as to how many people would cry at the first screening. It was a lot,” said St Joseph’s CEO Rob Jahoda. “It brings great joy to the people we support, they love it. The Care Inspectorate called it “inspirational”.
Vilte Vaitkute of media co-op, who edited the Music in Hospitals & Care video, said “Share these three film and animation projects this UK Learning Disability Week. They’re all powerful models of ways to include and respect people with a learning disability – and reminders of what they bring to our society.”
Scotland’s Learning Disability Week takes place from 8-14 September, thanks to the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities.
