Learning Together 2026

an Estia Centre Learning Disability Week Conference

Do you see still see me? Being seen, heard and valued, a positive message created by people with a learning disability to build a movement of change.

A conference for all health and social care staff, people with a learning disability, their friends and carers to celebrate and learn about all things 'learning disability'. This in-person event will feature interactive workshops, presentations and discussions about current thinking and best practice, and a chance to connect with others in the learning disability community. Whether you want to increase your understanding or share your experiences, this event is for you. Let's create a supportive and inclusive environment together!

Lunch and refreshments will be provided

Keynote: Simba Ngwarti

My name is Simba, I grew up in Zimbabwe and I moved to the UK in 2007. For me I grew up listening to reggae music early in life, that's how my music started. I found Citylit in 2017 after I went to South Thames College and studied Hidden Sounds and Soundscapes which is electronic music. Just after Covid in 2022 I joined Percussion Orchestra, where I compose music for the orchestra and perform. I was so happy to play with the most famous percussionist in this country, Dame Evelyn Glennie. She also gave me an award for Outstanding student at Citylit in 2024.

For the keynote speech I will talk about my musical journey, from early years until now. Music is a way to communicate feelings to others, sometimes with words and sometimes without. I keeps me calm inside and it's about stories which people might relate to and connect with. Music is about believing in yourself and telling your own story. I want to inspire people to make their own music and tell their story. I will show a video and play one of my compositions I wrote for the Percussion Orchestra called Panic Attack.

We are honoured that Simba will open Learning Together 2025 with his keynote address.

Info: Enjoy a cuppa and catch up with colleagues and friends before the keynote.

Info: Simba will talk about his musical journey, from early years until now. Music is a way to communicate feelings to others, sometimes with words and sometimes without. Music is about believing in yourself and telling your own story. I want to inspire people to make their own music and tell their story.
I will show a video and play one of my compositions I wrote for the Percussion Orchestra called Panic Attack.

Info: Time TBC. In this presentation we will discuss the main findings from the LeDeR learning disability mortality review programme. We will consider how the findings have been used to improve healthcare for people with a learning disability and what more needs to be done.

Info: Time TBC. The words we use to describe restrictive practice, affect how we feel about it! This has implications for the support we provide to others. This workshop will consider how potentially 'euphemistic' language, or vague behavioural descriptions might result in a higher frequency of restrictive practice.

Info: Time to TBC. People with a learning disability are 10 times more likely to have sight problems but often have problems accessing eye care. This interactive workshop shows how eye care can be made accessible and we will talk about South East London’s Easy Eye Care service. [Target audience: health and social care staff and people with a learning disability.]

Info: Time TBC. Co-production in action: embedding lived experience in service design and improvement. This session shares our experience as PPIE representatives working in co-production with services. We will explore how lived experience can shape research and service improvement, highlight practical examples, and encourage discussion on meaningful involvement of people with lived experience in decision-making and design.

Info: Time TBC. We will talk about how people can be supported at home rather than going into hospital when their mental health gets worse. Our research is about a type of care review called a CTR or CETR. We will share what we have found out and what we are doing next.

Info: Time TBC. Better Health, Better Lives: Working Together to Support People with a Learning Disability and/or Autism. This session will empower you with the knowledge about:
- Annual Health Checks and Health Action Plan — why they matter, what should happen, and how they can lead to better health outcomes.
- Reasonable Adjustment Flag and how it helps ensure people get fair, personalised care across services
- STOMP (Stopping Over Medic*tion of People with a Learning Disability), focusing on safe, person-centred approaches and reducing unnecessary Medic*tion.

Info: Time TBC. Marianne draws on decades of supporting learning disabled people and their families, and as a parent to three boys, two of whom are autistic, and her youngest has Down syndrome. Through personal experience, this interactive session explores how life is better when we connect, share and invest in each other.

Info: Time TBC. 'Learning from bereavement: MCA lessons from qualitative research with families affected by Prader-Willi syndrome'. This presentation shares a case study from our qualitative research with bereaved families of individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome. It explores experiences of care, decision-making under the Mental Capacity Act, and highlights key learning for health and social care staff to improve practice, communication, and safeguarding in complex risk and capacity situations.

Info: Time TBC. This workshop celebrates the experiences, strength, and activism of people with learning disabilities. It explores what we can learn from their experiences, highlights global representation, shares research on reducing stigma, and discusses empowering interventions such as STORM, which helps people with learning disabilities build confidence, speak up, and challenge prejudice.

Info: This workshop will talk about Intensive Interaction - an approach for individuals with severe and profound learning disability. Intensive interaction helps with social engagement and communication but can also be a psychological intervention; increasing positive emotions, managing distress and developing and maintaining attachments. It also enhances the wellbeing of supporters.

Info: A film created by Screen Beans Group, who are part of the Baked Bean Theatre Company

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Host or Publisher Estia Centre