Blue light event for people with learning disabilities

Organisers of an event aimed at breaking down barriers for people with disabilities said there was still more work to do.

The Blue Light Day at the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge was set up 19 years ago to encourage people with learning disabilities and autism to interact with members of the emergency services from across the South West.

Jenny said the event allowed her son Charlie to interact with the different services whether that was trying out a police bike or fire engine.

"It's that knowing he [Charlie] doesn't have to fear these services because they're here to help," Jenny said.

About 1,000 people attended the event on Wednesday and brought together services such as the police, fire, ambulance, NHS, coastguards, blood bikes as well as many other support charities and local organisations.

Kim Carey, who is part of the organising committee, and co-founder of Blue Light Day, Magi Omlo-Coad, said they worked at the council 19 years ago when they discovered people with learning disabilities could feel unsafe within the community and may not approach emergency services for help.

Carey said the event had changed "significantly" over the years because the idea started with one fire engine, two police cars and about a dozen attendees.

"What used to be seen as a problem is now seen as an opportunity," she said.

"It's about ensuring people can live their lives in the way they want to whatever the issues are they have to face."

Omlo-Coad hopes to continue the annual event for as long as possible.

"There's definitely more work to be done," she said.

"As people change, personalities change and personnel change, it's ongoing so year on year it's different people making those connections."

"It is important that along with the messages from emergency services, it is recognised as a wonderful opportunity for this community to spend time with friends and like-minded people and it offers them the unique chance to showcase and celebrate their talents and abilities."

PC Andrew Row from Devon and Cornwall Police's diverse communities team said some of the event attendees could be targeted as victims of hate-related crime.

"It gives us an opportunity to spread that message that we are looking out for them and we're here to support them."

RNLI lifeguard Alfie Yates said: "You meet lots of people with loads of different conditions and how to make them feel comfortable, what different requirements they need, ways they might get overstimulated.

"Learning how to adapt your way of communicating is really beneficial."

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.