Marketplace Event

As part of their response to the move towards Individualised Budgets and Self-Directed Support, the Partnership Board staged a ‘Marketplace Event' on the 12th February at Harrogate High School.

The aim of the Partnership Board was to bring together organisations and companies who felt they had something to offer this new group of ‘customers' who will be getting their own money to spend on their daytime activities, leisure and education.

We were particularly keen to invite organisations and companies who traditionally have not thought of people with a learning disability as having spending power. Although most of the 30 or so stalls were represented organisations which focus on learning disability we were pleased that the Ramblers Association, Rural Arts and the National Trust among others did join us for the day.

Over 250 people attended the event and they were just the ones who did sign in!

Dr B's did a sterling job with their café as well as helping tidy up at the end of the day.

Talkback's Diversity Theatre Forum gave two presentations during the day on Access which was very well received – some even shed a tear or two!

We would like to thank the organising team of Keith Wyatt, Crista Webber, Heather McGinness, Kate Rogata, Eleanor Borkett, Judy Buller and Dorothy Hawkins. Also the volunteers: David Bruce and Katie Balmford who helped on the day, Conor Hawkins and David Townson for taking the photographs and James Taylor and James Jackman for enthusiastically greeting visitors at reception.

The feedback was that it was well organised and can we do it again next year!

With our new Board logo, shopping bags and banners the whole thing looked very professional.

Like Brigadoon, the empty hall was transformed into a live and bustling exhibition event in the morning only to return to tranquillity that night as if nothing had ever been there!

Thank you to all who exhibited and all who attended on the day.

For more photos of the day please click on the button below.

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Concept and design by David Brockhurst
Copyright 2008 Craven and Harrogate LDPB. All rights reserved