Heart n Soul’s 40th anniversary is in 2026. 40 learning disabled and autistic artists will create a special programme that celebrates our past, present and future, and brings our community together: “It’s all about being creative and enjoying how people with learning disabilities create magic”.
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Learning disabled and autistic people lack opportunities to come together as a community. They face multiple barriers to participation and often feel isolated and excluded: 61% of our regular participants have sought or received help for a mental health condition. People feel overlooked and unheard, and that they are treated as second class citizens. They want the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers: to be able to meet up and socialise, take part and show others what they can do.
Learning disabled and autistic people will create a celebratory programme for our 40th anniversary, showcasing work from Heart n Soul artists and allowing audiences to connect with the power, beauty and joy of learning disability culture. We will offer 40 artists online and in person 1:1 sessions, enabling them to make new work for sharing. This aligns with our ‘create, connect, change’ mission by allowing people in our community to express themselves, come together and challenge perceptions.
