During Scottish Learning Disability Week, we reflected on what inclusion looks like in practice, not just words.

As one of our core values, inclusion is woven into everything we do. From our sensory room and dedicated ASN activities, to ensuring all our classes are fully accessible, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to perform, create, and experience the joy of the arts.

A key highlight of the week was presenting the incredible Lindsay Williamson with a Volunteer Beyond Award. Lindsay so generously donates her time to support our Café Bar team. While studies continue to show that people with learning disabilities are more likely to experience loneliness, we’re doing our bit to create inclusive communities where everyone belongs. Like all our volunteers, Lindsay is a much-valued part of our community and when receiving her award she shared, “I’m loving it here. I love the staff, I just love everything,”.

When not volunteering with us, Lindsay can be found upstairs in our neighbourhood, providing administrative support to our partners, Ayrshire Autism Support. People like Lindsay embody the values of inclusion and kindness that help create communities where everyone is respected and able to thrive.

Our many neighbourhood partnerships with the likes of the National Autistic Society and NEST are working with us to create a wrap-around community where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and empowered to unlock their potential.

This week has been about celebrating the talents and contributions of people with learning disabilities, while also acknowledging the many challenges they might still face. It calls on all of us to create places where belonging is the standard, no matter your background.



We, and our partners, are committing to building a fairer, kinder, and truly inclusive future.