A CHARITY has held its second Healthy Me conference for adults with learning disabilities.

People First Keighley and Craven provided fun learning opportunities for members and guests at the Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton.

The event was opened by Cllr Abid Hussain, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford, and there were delegates from Keighley, Craven, Bradford and Wharfedale.

Workshops at the conference included relaxation, tai-chi, and dancing to music provided by BFG Discos.

The conference was held as a follow-up to five-day learning holidays, entitled Healthy Me, where people with learning disabilities learned life skills.

The residential programme gave participants a chance to develop healthy approaches and skills for life, such as cooking, food safety and gentle exercise.

Delegates spoke about the changes they had made to improve their health and well-being after attending the learning holiday such taking part in activities like walking, swimming, going out to socialise, travelling independently and making friends.

Some had decided it would be better to move house to share with friend rather than living alone, while others decided to manage diabetes better or learn new skills.

A People First spokesman said: “Other important benefits included gaining more confidence, self-esteem building and preparation for more independent living.

“The conference celebrated the contribution made by all delegates to this unique and appropriate approach to learning.”

The Deputy Lord Mayor joined in the conference workshops and gave a display of his own skills in Bhangara dancing.

Another guest, Pam Essler, the lay member of Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Commissioning Group, also joined the workshops.

The spokesman added: “The day was tinged with sadness as one our members Joshua Duckworth died three weeks before the conference.

“We chose to celebrate his life by inviting his family to spend some time with us talking about Joshua and then releasing balloons with messages attached.”

Martin Parr, one of the conference delegates, said: “The day was fantastic, it was good to meet up again with the friends as well as staff.”

Another, Matthew Holgate, described the conference as “unbelievable”.

People First Keighley and Craven, based in Springfield Mills, Oakworth Road, Keighley, is run by adults with learning disabilities helped by support workers.

The group runs social activities, provides advice and support, and campaigns on issues affecting disabled people.

People First has campaigned for several years for equal taxi fares for both able-bodied people, and those using wheelchairs.