Learning Disability Week 2025 (16–23 June) is a chance for all of us at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) to come together to celebrate, reflect and continue our work to improve services for people with learning disabilities.

This year’s theme “Do You See Me?” is about visibility, inclusion and respect.

At CDDFT, we’re proud to support this message through a range of meaningful activities, while making real progress behind the scenes to ensure everyone is seen, heard, valued and included.

Key Developments Across the Trust

Work is underway across the organisation to improve accessibility, inclusion and co-production in how we deliver care and support. Recent and upcoming initiatives include:

  • Launch of the Learning Disabilities and Reasonable Adjustments Steering Group.

  • Ongoing focus on Hospital Passports, supported by a working group and the development of a new internal webpage to help staff use these more effectively.

  • Reasonable Adjustments Roadshows across Trust sites, engaging staff and members of the public in meaningful conversations about accessible care.

Activities During Learning Disability Week

To bring this year's theme to life, we’re hosting a week of storytelling, awareness-raising and staff engagement:

  • Monday 16 June – Special Facebook Live launching the week, featuring Luke’s Story and a roundup of key projects. Come visit our stand at Hollies, Darlington Memorial Hospital from 11am–2pm.

  • Tuesday 17 June – Focus on Hospital Passports and how they help tailor care to individual needs.

  • Wednesday 18 June – Watch Freddie’s Story, a moving video on identity, visibility and community.

  • Thursday 19 June – Important update on Mental Capacity guidance and IMCA contacts. Find us at Saffrey’s, University Hospital of North Durham, from 11am–2pm.

  • Friday 20 June – Explore Leah’s Story, highlighting the real-world impact of making reasonable adjustments.

  • Saturday 21 June – Launch of the Share Maternity Animation, supporting the Maternity Diamond Standards.

  • Sunday 22 June – Introducing a new Central Repository for accessible patient resources to better support inclusive care.

Get Involved

Whether you're a staff member, carer, patient or partner, we invite you to get involved.

Your voice matters in shaping care that is more compassionate, accessible and person-centred.

Let’s continue working together to ensure everyone with a learning disability is seen, heard, valued and included - this week and every week.