disAbility Cornwall & IoS

02/09/2026

Assistance Dogs: Supporting Independence 🦮

In this video, we learn more about assistance dogs and the important role they play in supporting people with disabilities and health conditions.

We look at what assistance dogs are, how they are trained, the different types of assistance dogs and why it is important that they are welcomed in public places.

Assistance dogs are highly trained working animals. They can support people who are blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, have seizures or medical conditions, or have physical disabilities or autism.

We also look at the barriers people with assistance dogs can face and why access matters.

💙 A huge thank you to Daisy and her assistance dog Poppy for being part of this video and helping us share this important message about assistance dogs and inclusion.

👏 And a big thank you to our Learning Disability and Autism Champion, James, for creating this video and helping to share information and raise awareness through lived experience.

🎥 Watch on our YouTube channel:

In this video, we learn more about assistance dogs and the importan...

01/09/2026

OASIS Groups in Pool & St Austell 💜

Are you a parent, carer or grandparent of a child or young person aged 0–25 with a disability or additional need?

The OASIS Groups offer a welcoming space to meet other parents and carers, enjoy a cuppa, chat and share experiences with people who understand. ☕💬

📍 Trevenson, Pool | 10am–12pm
• 22 September
• 13 October
• 17 November
• 15 December

Trevenson Church Hall, Church Road, Pool, Redruth, TR15 3PT

📍 St Austell Family Hub | 10am–12pm
• 7 September
• 5 October
• 16 November
• 7 December

St Austell Family Hub, White River Place, St Austell, PL25 5AZ

Whether you're looking for support, want to meet other families or simply fancy a chat over a cuppa, you're welcome to come along. 💜

📧 For more information: [email protected]
📱 Follow the FRIENDS OF FACE2FACE CORNWALL page for updates.

28/08/2026

📣 Just a quick note to say we will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 31st August and back open as usual on Tuesday 1st September.

We hope you have a restful long weekend! ☀️

28/08/2026

Makaton International Awareness Day 💙

Today we’re celebrating Makaton International Awareness Day and the different ways people communicate. 🖐️

Makaton can support people to communicate their needs, express themselves, build confidence and connect with others. It can be particularly helpful for people who have difficulty communicating through speech alone.

📊 Did you know? More than 100,000 children and adults use Makaton symbols and signs, either as their main method of communication or to support speech.

At disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, we love sharing Makaton and helping make communication more accessible and inclusive. 💙

🎥 Visit our YouTube channel, where you can find our Makaton playlist, including our Makaton Sign of the Week videos and songs we’ve covered using Makaton

Whether you're new to Makaton or already use it, why not have a look and learn a new sign today?

👉 Head over to our YouTube channel and check out the playlist! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJlYiddgoO41GvQI-d0XKLuZLOkh1gOrN

27/08/2026

Last week, people with lived experience and Cornwall Council staff came together at the Together We Can Forum to discuss some of the issues people are facing across Cornwall. 💬

Our Learning Disability & Autism Champion James also spoke at the forum, sharing his experience of being part of the co-production group and the importance of making sure people with lived experience have the opportunity to influence decisions that affect their lives. 💙

It was great to see people with lived experience and council staff coming together to listen, share ideas and work towards positive change. 🤝

Find out more about the Together We Can Forum here: https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/welcome-to-together-we-can-forum

26/08/2026

Be Seen. Be Screened. 💙

The Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Learning Disability Screening Liaison Nursing Team are holding a Screening roadshow across Cornwall.

💙 Abdominal aortic aneurysm
💙 Breast cancer
💙 Cervical screening
💙 Diabetic eye screening
💙 Bowel cancer

📅 Upcoming dates and locations:

• 8 September – Charlestown Village Hall, St Austell | 2pm–4pm
• 14 September – St Erme Village Hall, Truro | 10:30am–2pm
• 29 September – Millennium House, Liskeard | 10am–1pm
• 5 October – Gardeners House, Penzance | 10:30am–1pm
• 13 October – Penventon House, Redruth | 10:30am–1pm
• 21 October – Pendennis, Falmouth | 12:30pm–3pm
• 5 November – Shire Hall, Bodmin | 10am–1pm
• 9 November – Parkhouse Centre, Bude | 9:30am–12pm

☕ Drinks and biscuits provided, and no appointment needed - just pop in!

Early detection can save lives. 💙

📧 For more information, email [email protected]

25/08/2026

Happy Feet: Small Steps Make a Big Difference 💙

The NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly has created a video in partnership with Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Podiatry Services and people with lived experience of long-term conditions to help people living with diabetes look after their feet and reduce the risk of serious complications.

The video, Happy Feet: Small Steps Make a Big Difference, shares simple, practical advice about daily foot care and the importance of getting help early if you notice any changes or concerns.

If you have diabetes, small daily habits can make a big difference.

The video also includes helpful information for family members and carers supporting someone with diabetes, including what warning signs to look out for and when to seek professional advice.

The film has been co-produced with people living with long-term conditions to make sure the advice is accessible, practical and relevant to everyday life.

💡 Find out more here: https://cios.icb.nhs.uk/2026/08/14/nhs-cornwalls-happy-feet-video-encourages-people-with-diabetes-to-take-simple-steps-to-protect-their-foot-health-as-diabetic-amputation-rates-drop/?mc_cid=7aceb8cddc&mc_eid=ea26bf747a

🎥 Watch Happy Feet: Small Steps Make a Big Difference:

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

25/08/2026

Citizen checkers Lived Experience Group 💬

Do you have a learning disability and/or autism? Come along to the Citizen Checkers Lived Experience Group in Liskeard and Redruth. 💙

The group is a fun and safe space where people can meet others, have a chat and share their experiences and stories. Your voice matters, and this is a chance to speak up and be heard. 🗣️

📍 Liskerrett Community Centre, Varley Lane, Liskeard, PL14 4AP
🕑 2pm - 4pm

• 14 September
• 12 October
• 9 November

📍 Redruth Community Centre, 9a Chapel Street, Redruth, TR15 1AN
🕑 2pm - 4pm

• 16 September
• 21 October
• 18 November

☕ Tea, coffee and refreshments provided.

For more information, contact David:
📧 [email protected]
📞 07480 831276

our dates for the lived experience groups in redruth community centre. come along to meet people and have fun

25/08/2026

We’re out and about today! 🚒

Our Lived Experience Team are at the Newquay Community Fire Station Open Day today, offering advice, information and support about local services available across Cornwall. 💙

If you’re at the event, come along and say hello! We'll be here until 2pm. 👋

We’d love to chat, answer your questions and help you find out more about the support available in your local community.

21/08/2026

Our Active Community - St. Austell and Clay Country are providing inclusive swimming sessions for people with a learning disability 🏊

📅 Every Friday, starting 11th September, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
📍 St Austell Leisure Centre
💷 £2 cash to begin with (but free for the first 4 weeks)

🦺 A swim teacher and lifeguards will be at these sessions. There will be lanes and open space for swimming. Limited to 15 participant spaces. Carers/supporters may need to be in the water depending on ability.

🎟️ To book, contact Chris and Wendi from Our Active Community: 07970 965 470
[email protected]

📢 We are pleased to let everyone know that there is now a start date for the inclusive swimming sessions!

📅 Every Friday, starting 11th September

⌚ 2:30-3:30 in the afternoon

📍 St Austell Leisure Centre

💷 £2 cash to begin with (but free for the first 4 weeks)

✅ A swim teacher and lifeguards will be at these sessions. There will be lanes and open space for swimming. Limited to 15 participant spaces. Carers/supporters may need to be in the water depending on ability.

🎟️ To book, you must get contact Chris and Wendi from Our Active Community:

📱 07970 965 470

📧 [email protected]

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ℹ️ Some extra information…👇

👋 On Friday 4th September, 2:30-3:30, there will be a dry introduction and information session at St. Austell Leisure Centre. This is a chance for people who are interested in swimming to come along and see the pool, as well as meet the swim teacher. There will be no swimming on this day, just a chance to ask questions and give ideas about what will make this swimming session as good as it can be. You could also sign up if you haven't already.

🐦 Some people have already signed the early bird swimming register and their place is guaranteed in the first week. We will be getting in touch with those individuals to confirm whether they are still interested.