Around 500 people have attended the sixth ‘Blue Light Day’ at Royal Cornwall Showground, aimed at breaking down barriers between people with learning disabilities and the emergency services.

The event on Wednesday last week saw emergency services gather in Wadebridge to lay on a special event for people with learning disabilities.

After five successful years at Kingsley Village, the event moved this year to the Royal Cornwall Showground, due to its increasing popularity and to allow more emergency services to get involved.

Staff from the police, ambulance, fire, coastguard, mountain rescue and more attended

Highlights of the day included a demonstration of a rescue of a casualty from a road traffic accident, performances from the Devon and Cornwall Police Pipes and Drums Band, and a flash mob ‘sing and sign’ – with various members of the emergency services joining together on stage to sign and dance to Steps’ ‘Tragedy’.

Organisations who provide healthcare and support services for people with a learning disability were also on hand to give information and advice.

Blue Light Day is organised by the police in partnership with Cornwall People First, a user-led advocacy group for people with a learning disability, and Cornwall Council.

Julie Fielding, chief superintendent at Devon and Cornwall Police, who opened the event, said: “The team that has organised Blue Light Day should be very proud of its achievements. This is a great example of what can be achieved when public sector partners join forces.

“We have a common aim to protect the vulnerable and the first step in doing this is to make sure those we aim to protect have confidence in our ability to do that. Events like Blue Light Day go a long way to doing that and breaking down any barriers that may exist.”

Cornwall Council chairman John Wood also attended and the Mayor of Wadebridge, Tony Rush, presented ‘Above and Beyond’ awards from People First Quality Checkers for outstanding customer service. They went to Gino Contrino, a bus driver with First Bus Devon and Cornwall, and the staff at the Godolphin Arms in Marazion.

The ‘Above and Beyond’ award highlights the kindness and respect that everyday working people can give, to help people with a learning disability connect with their community.