By Diane Sullivan
A ‘Mad Hatters Tea Party’ was held at Kirkstall Leisure Centre this week in celebration of Learning Disability Week.
The event, one of several organised by Aspire CBS for Learning Disability Week, was a huge success. There was no shortage of cake, tasty treats and lots of tea.
Senior Support Worker Pam McCarthy, Support Leader Teresa Jardine and Support Worker Kelsey Galli served a wonderful selection of themed cupcakes and hot drinks throughout the morning to the delight of some very happy customers.
Taking pride of place amongst the tasty treats was the winner of a Bake-off Competition which was held the previous day. Sonia Rashid, dressed as Alice in Wonderland for the Tea Party proudly told WLD how she had helped to make the strawberry covered cake.
Getting involved with the theme of the day and Patrick Duffy was dressed as the White Rabbit whilst Jenny Robinson from the Sky Fallers had chosen to wear a little red hat to represent the Mad Hatter. A stilt walker and the opportunity to have a tattoo or a face painting all added to the fun.
Sonia greeted guests on the day and was really excited to be dressed as Alice especially as her mum; Nasreen Aurangzeb and Aunty; Mohneen Jaffrey were attending the Tea Party.
Sonia really looks forward to the regular Aspire coffee mornings and events at the leisure centre Mum Nasreen said. “It’s really good form of socialisation for Sonia,” added Nasreen.
Aspire Service Manager, Gail Hamilton described the tea party as: “A big meet up for everyone” and said the week of events as a whole as ‘splendid’.
Gail added that many of Aspires customers have grown up together with some knowing each other since school days. Aged 18 and above some of Aspire’s customers are now in their 90s.
Councillor Kevin Ritchie, Bramley and Stanningley (Lab) and board member of Aspire described the event as ‘wonderful’ and said that it was great to be in such a happy place with happy people. A splendid cake trimmed with yellow icing included the phrase Aspire to be Happy.
The opportunity to get everyone together from different locations had taken lots of planning and the tea party was just one of the week’s events, customer involvement officer Tracey Sowerby told the WLD.
Shireen Causebrook, support leader, explained that it was the first time an event of this type had been held at the Leisure Centre.
The preparation that had gone into making this event a huge success was clear to see. The walls decorated with ‘Welcome to Wonderland’ signs greeted a steady stream of excited customers, friends’ family and support workers.
There was a feeling of excitement in the air when the Sky Fallers began to play and the dancing started. The Sky Fallers is an extremely talented band of singers and musicians who each have a learning disability are organised by Aspire and supported by David Turner and Alex Gray.
The Sky Fallers had celebrated their 10th anniversary with a concert the night before at Howard House in Leeds and despite a rather late night were on top form. Jenny Robinson from the Sky Fallers told WLD that they had all enjoyed an amazing night.
The Sky Fallers – comprising of band members Jenny Robinson, Megan Nunns, Des Thompson and Steven Joyner – are a firm favourite of Cllr Ritchie, who purchased a T Shirt to show his support and appreciation of the talented group.
The theme for Learning Disability Week which takes place between June 16 and June 22 2025 is ‘Do you see me?’ which is all about people with a learning disability being, seen, heard and valued.
The Mad Hatters Tea Party was organised by Aspire CBS to value the wonderful people they support.
Cllr Ritchie said earlier in the week as part of Learning Disability Week there had been a People’s Parliament council chamber takeover in Leeds Civic Hall where questions were asked about issues that affect daily life such as services, transport and sport.
More information about Learning Disability Week 2025, which is organised by MENCAP, can be found here.
Aspire Community Benefit Society is a staff owned, not for profit, social enterprise with charitable status. Aspire provides care and support services to adults with a learning disability. For further information visit the Aspire website.
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