On Wednesday July 28th 2021, there was an Artwalk in Wakefield where there were lots of different exhibitions or activities to get involved in in different venues across Wakefield and in the Ridings such as: Westgate Studios, Wakefield Cathedral, The Ridings, I only managed to have a look at the Hannah Whitfield and Zoe Carlon which was all about paintings and sculptures of objects and environments they came across while walking in Wakefield City Centre. had made relating to Wakefield, the Westgate Studios where there were a couple of pieces of work that someone I knew wanted to see, and Wakefield Cathedral and they had artwork too made by Helen Thomas and all these pieces of art were good. I also had to explain to a few people who came into the CoActive Arts space in the Ridings what my painting was based on, and I felt confident enough to explain.
What I like about the city of Wakefield is that there are some excellent buildings still standing strong such as: Theatre Royal and Wakefield Cathedral. I also like the fact that two of my social groups I attend are both in the same space in the Ridings Shopping Centre so that’s handy for me. There’s also plenty to do and see across Wakefield such as: Reel Cinema, going out for food, going to the Theatre Royal.
Here are my top 5 accessible activities or groups which can be for anyone regardless barriers are:
- CoActive Arts – This is a wonderful group who specialise in creative activities for young adults or older adults with learning disabilities, they do art, creative dance, yoga and movement, art and drama and during this current time of uncertainty are holding three days of sessions. On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with small groups as not everyone can be together yet. Their website is coactivearts.org.uk
- Stride Theatre- This again is a good group for anyone who wants to act or learn drama or sing, they have different groups in 3 different places which are: Wakefield, Castleford and South Elmsall and I mainly go to one of the Wakefield ones and they run at different times , so I think the Mondays in Wakefield are 10am-11:30am and 12pm- 2pm , Tuesday 12pm-2pm and both of those are for 18 and over, and the Thursday teatime groups are 4:45pm-6pm and 6:15pm-7:30pm. They do have a website although I don’t think it’s been updated yet, and the best person to email is Rebecca Simpson at [email protected] for any questions or if you want your young person to take part
- Theatre Royal Wakefield- If you’re a theatre lover, then this is the place for you, it’s fairly accessible as people in wheelchairs can go nearer the front but they may get squirted on if it’s a pantomime and there’s a water pistol
- Into the Sky – This is a fantastic weekly performing arts and social group for adults aged 16 – 30 with learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder from the Wakefield and Five Towns area.
- Wakefield Autism Leisure Club is a sports club which provides a range of sports activities such as football, swimming and bowling at different venues during school term times which improves concentration, improves skills, creates friendships, helps develop sharing and is lots of fun! New members are always welcome and any enquiries should be made to the Club Coordinator or the Club Chair. Our members start at the age of 5 years, we currently have no upper age limit. We encourage siblings of our members to also participate in our activities. We have a yearly membership fee of £10.00 per person and each activity has a weekly subscription. If our fee’s are a barrier to anyone wanting to join our group. We can supply details of organisations who may be able to give a bursary to help with costs. Please contact Claire Stephenson for further details. Please see website for session times.
Top 6 places I like going to or have been in Wakefield District
- Freeport Shopping Centre- I don’t go here very often, but when I do go, I tend to buy cards or just have a general browse around the shops, or do the crazy golf.
- The Stanley Ferry Pub- I used to go here often with one of my social groups on a Tuesday night, and the food is OK but can be expensive depending on what you go for.
- Xscape Castleford – I have been here for food , crazy golf, bowling and cinema before and all are good, accessible activities for everyone.
- The Hut Castleford – I have been here with one of my social groups for bowling and with CoActive to see how the radio show is made, and I can say the bowling is accessible to get to, however the radio set is harder to get to as you need to go up a lift.
- Pugneys Country Park- This is a nice park to have a stroll round and it is pretty accessible and easy to walk round, there is also a train that takes you round as well.
- Wetherby Whaler- This is a nice restaurant for fish and chips as you can take your time to order what you want and its accessible parking too.
