Well, the team at the internationally recognised Warrington Disability Partnership built an amazing showground that included 10 huge marquees at Walton Hall and Gardens that played host to the 32nd annual Disability Awareness Day on Sunday 16th July.
DAD, as it affectionately known, is recognised as one of Warrington’s main community events and the world’s largest 'not for profit' voluntary-led disability exhibition. This year attracting over 200 exhibitors, and nearly 20,000 visitors.
This year saw a range of eight smaller events held during the week before the big day, including a Disability Confident workshop for employers, a vulnerability summit, a mental health and wellbeing exhibition, a carers pamper day, and several evenings of entertainment, each attracting hundreds of guests.
Sunday’s big day attracted dozens of mobility and independent living businesses, plus vehicle dealerships from Cheshire, Merseyside, Worcestershire, Preston, Grantham, Newcastle, Leeds, London, Scotland and North Wales. Local health, social care, education, utilities, employment and training providers were well represented, led by our joint principal sponsors Expanse Learning and United Utilities. Alongside over 100 local disability related charities and support groups.
Special guests were the High Sheriff of Cheshire Dr Dennis Dunn MBE JP DL, the Mayor and Mayoress of Warrington Councillor Steve Wright and his wife Julie. They all heaped praise on the team behind DAD and the sponsors and supporters.
DAD involved over 1,200 volunteers including over 600 volunteers performed in the Arts Marquee, Sports Zone and Main Arena. Over 100 volunteer stewards and support workers, including 10 prisoners from HM Prison Thorn Cross, aptly named DAD’s Army, ensured the smooth running of the show.
DAD Warrington has inspired other voluntary organisations to hold DAD events in towns and cities across the UK and as far afield as Cameroon, India, Uganda, Gibraltar, Denmark, Sweden, Egypt and Thailand. DAD is a pan-disability event which promotes a can do culture focusing on what disabled people can do throughout life and work. Closing the Gap based in Kumba, Cameroon ran their seventh DAD to coincide with the Warrington show. Cameroon’s main TV national news channel covered the event, which stated that their inspiration had come from Dave Thompson, Chief Executive at Warrington Disability Partnership.
Planning for next year’s event, which will be held on Sunday 14th July, has already started, helped by news that the two min sponsors have already extended their support. Local businesses can get involved in various ways, financial sponsorship, in-kind support, advertising in the event programme and by volunteering. For more detail visit www.disabilityawarenessday.org.uk