Herefordshire Council is planning to celebrate this year's International Day of Disabled People (December 3 2008) with lots of fun activities, workshops and information stands around Hereford and Leominster.
Events are suitable for everyone, whether disabled or not, and aim to celebrate the achievements of the county's disabled people and raise awareness of services available to them.
In Hereford's All Saints Church, the GreenEyed Monster Company will offer free drop-in Christmas wreath and swag-making sessions for all ages and abilities, children welcomed. For those who prefer to relax, reflexology and Indian head massage will be available courtesy of the Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre and Herefordshire Council's recruitment team will be available to offer advice on careers at the council. The council will also be keen to hear from people who have views on the Blue Badge scheme.
Information stands will be available to provide information about local services including Shopmobility and Marches Family Network. St Peter's Church Hall, Hereford will be the venue for "The Red Dress", a powerful small-scale puppet production suitable for family audiences from six years upwards. This will be performed from 2-2.30pm by the About Face Theatre Company and is free of charge.
Deaf Direct on Broad Street in Hereford will be running a British Sign Language beginners workshops from 1-3pm, again free, but places need to be booked (01432 357741).
In Leominster Leisure Centre, there will be free taster sessions in accessible yoga (suitable for all ages and abilities) at 12.30 and 3.30pm, and the About Face Theatre Company are presenting The Red Dress puppet show from 11.30-12.00. Information stands will be available too, including Leominster shopmobility, Herefordshire Mind, the Fire Service, and the Blue Badge team. An exhibition of work by disabled artists will be on display at the ECHO shop at 40 West Street, Leominster.
In addition, on the following day, 4th December, the artwork produced by the community mosaic project will be unveiled at the Kindle Centre, from 3-5pm.
Harriet Yellin, the council's diversity officer says, "In Herefordshire we are very keen to celebrate some of the amazing achievements of the county's disabled people and generate awareness too which is why we've organised activities that everyone can participate in.
"We hope people will enjoy this special day and come away from it with a greater appreciation of the range of facilities and services available for disabled people and their families."