Learning Disability Week 2026

This Learning Disability Week 2026 (15–21 June), we caught up with our expert Co-Trainer, Sinead Dunne. Sinead, who co-trains on the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism, kindly shared her personal experiences of living with a learning disability and helped us challenge and dispel some common myths along the way.

Some of the content covers sensitive and hard-hitting topics, so please be mindful before viewing. Trigger warnings are included on the post for guidance.

If you’d like to find out more, visit our Facebook page for our daily featured updates throughout this week.

For now, enjoy our blooper reel linked below, which serves as a light-hearted introduction to our week’s content.

Coventry Training Consortium Approved by Skills for Care to Deliver Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training

The approval applies specifically to the delivery of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism.

We’re proud to announce that Skills for Care has officially approved Coventry Training Consortium for the delivery of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism.

This approval recognises our commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred training that supports health and social care staff to better understand the needs of people with a learning disability and autistic people.

We are delighted to continue supporting organisations and professionals with engaging, inclusive, and impactful training that helps improve experiences and outcomes for the people they support.

World Sight Day 2025

Our expert with lived experience of autism and co-trainer, Andy recently shared his story about visual impairment, and the difference reasonable adjustments make.

Andy talks to colleague, and trainer, Julie about his experience in the workplace, in this Facebook reel uploaded to our social media page.

You can hear Andy’s story here…World Sight Day Video

world sight day

Reasonable adjustments in the work place - Andy’s story

Fire Marshall Training

We recently held a Fire Marshal course here at Coventry Training Consortium, and as you can see from the images - we hardly needed the use of fire extinguishers! Well done delegates for persevering with our practical element, despite the weather conditions. Here are a few fire facts for you…


  • A smoke alarm was present and raised the alarm in only 48% of dwelling fires as of March 2025

  • In 2020-21, the UK Government spent £3.13 billion on fire protection services, the highest amount since 2010-11

  • The number of workplace fires attended by emergency services has declined from 26,670 in the year 2000 to 10,052 in 2023

  • Cooking is the leading cause of fires in London and one of the major causes nationwide, with 1 in 3 accidental house fires in 2022 starting because of cooking

“A smoke alarm was present and raised the alarm in only 48% of dwelling fires as of March 2025”
— GOV.UK
 

Taking Action: What We Can All Do

These statistics highlight the critical importance of fire safety education and prevention. As a training provider, we see firsthand how proper fire marshal training can make a real difference in workplace safety. But fire safety isn't just about having the right equipment - it's about knowledge, preparation, and creating a culture of safety.

Simple steps that save lives:

  • Test your smoke alarms weekly - those 48% detection rates could be much higher with properly maintained alarms

  • Never leave cooking unattended - with cooking being the leading cause of fires, kitchen vigilance is essential

  • Plan and practice escape routes - knowing how to get out quickly can be the difference between life and death

  • Invest in proper fire safety training - whether for your workplace or personal knowledge


At Coventry Training Consortium, our Fire Marshal courses equip delegates with the skills to identify fire hazards, implement prevention measures, and respond effectively in emergency situations. Because when it comes to fire safety, knowledge truly is power.


Want to make a difference in your workplace? Our next Fire Marshal courses in October and November cover key fire prevention strategies, and emergency procedures.

Email us on admin3@coventrytraining.org.uk to book your place.



Sources and References

All statistics cited in this article are from official UK government and fire service sources:

  1. "A smoke alarm was present and raised the alarm in only 48% of dwelling fires as of March 2025"
    Source: Detailed analysis of fires and response times to fires attended by fire and rescue services, England, April 2024 to March 2025 - GOV.UK

  2. "In 2020/21, the UK Government spent £3.13 billion on fire protection services"
    Source: Fire Safety Facts and Statistics UK | First Mats Guide

  3. "The number of workplace fires attended by emergency services has declined from 26,670 in 2000 to 10,052 in 2023"
    Source: Fire Safety Facts and Statistics UK | First Mats Guide

  4. "Cooking is the leading cause of fires in London and one of the major causes nationwide, with 1 in 3 accidental house fires in 2022 starting because of cooking"
    Sources: Fire safety at home | London Fire Brigade and Home Safety Advice | Essex County Fire and Rescue Service


Additional Data Sources:

All statistics current as of September 2025. For the most up-to-date fire safety information, visit GOV.UK Fire Statistics or contact your local Fire and Rescue Service.

Basic Life Support -

Basic Life Support (First Aid) training is more than just a skill, it’s a lifeline. First aid is an invaluable skill that can make the difference between life and death in critical situations. Whether it's administering CPR, managing choking, or treating burns, cuts, and fractures, knowing what to do in those moments can drastically improve outcomes.


According to a St John’s Ambulance article in August 2024:


  • Only four in 10 (43%) people know how to give CPR to someone in cardiac arrest and less than a third (32%) would know how to use a defibrillator.

  • Only 44% of people know how to give basic back blows to someone choking.

  • More than a quarter surveyed (26%) said they had never learned any first aid and nearly half (49%) said they would feel panicked if they came across a health emergency due to their lack of training. 

  • There are nearly 300 deaths a year due to choking


Basic Life Support training can change these statistics, and give everyone the confidence to act in an emergency.

We recently had the privilege of delivering a First Aid course at our base in Coventry. The course provided participants with essential life-saving techniques, practical hands-on experience, and the confidence to act in an emergency.

See some photos below of our students getting some hands-on practice.

Students practice wound dressings.

Students practice wound dressings.

Students practice CPR.

Our Basic Life Support course is interactive, informative, and engaging. Participants learned how to:

  • Perform CPR

  • Information on how to use a defibrillator

  • Respond to choking emergencies

  • Deal with burns, fractures, and wounds

  • Recognize the signs of a heart attack or stroke

  • Manage emergency situations with confidence


With a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical training, attendees got a well-rounded education that will stay with them in the event of an emergency.


One of the highlights of the course was the hands-on practice. From performing CPR on mannequins to simulating real-life scenarios, the participants actively engaged in techniques that were both informative and fun.


Accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. The more people trained in first aid, the better equipped communities are to handle emergencies until professional help arrives. This course was an important step towards building a safer, more proactive environment.


We're proud to have hosted such an informative and practical Basic Life Support course. The participants left with more than just a certificate, they gained the skills and knowledge needed to make a difference in any emergency.


If you missed this course, don’t worry! We’re planning future sessions to ensure as many people as possible are prepared for the unexpected.

🐣 EASTER TREAT

 

Most of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training team enjoyed an Easter lunch together to celebrate our achievements since we first started delivering in April 2023 up to April 2025.

We acknowledged individual accomplishments — and obviously, there was chocolate to be had (essential for an Easter celebration!).

 

  • Take a look at our recent feedback…

 

🗨️ Karen Scorer at CWPT

"All of the trainers were great (Maria and Danny, then Julie and Andy). It was great to see the relationships that they all had, and they were excellent role models."

🗨️ Riniasha Varghese at Care Workshop

"Andy’s experience sharing has been amazing and helpful, Maria’s training was brilliant, knowledgeable and interactive."

🗨️ Mr. R. Bahara

"The training was excellent, thank you Julie and Sinead."

🗨️ Bonita Jordan at Active Care Group

"Really good informative training. I loved the fact that Sinead was involved in the training and gave it a voice."

🗨️ Nicola Rosa at Lisiuex Trust

"The course was very informative. There were lots of things that were explained that made sense of the work I do."

🗨️ Charlotte Nixon

"Very knowledgeable, in depth and explained well."

Achievements

〰️

Achievements 〰️

 

📈 Trainer Impact by Numbers

Alongside the wonderful feedback we’ve received, we’re also proud to share the number of sessions each co-trainer has delivered as part of our Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training programme.

🎉 We’re proud of the impact the team have made and their continued dedication to the Oliver McGowan Mandatory training.


Here’s to many more successful sessions — and of course, more chocolate-fueled celebrations! 🍫✨

What a year it has been!

Our Oliver McGowan mandatory training team has delivered 153 tier one webinars and 44 tier 2 courses, as well as train the trainer for facilitators in 2024!

It is a huge privilege for us to be part of this amazing programme and to see the impact of Oliver’s story on those that we train.

 We would like to thank everyone who has been part of this incredible journey with us, and we look forward to many more successful training opportunities in 2025.

 

The CTC Oliver McGowan Mandatory training team - Group Supervision, December 2024.

Here is just a small sample of some of the amazing feedback we have received:

 

🗨️ “I rate the training highly and will recommend for all of my colleagues.”

 

🗨️ “Great learning event to widen my personal and professional knowledge about the support I can provide to colleagues. The trainers were fab and the pace of the learning was insightful.”

 

🗨️ “I don’t think I’ve ever received any training in this area where it’s been delivered by an autistic person or an individual with learning disabilities and for me this makes it extra valuable and insightful.”

 

🗨️ “The delivery of the course was outstanding and I really respect the individuals for being so open and honest about their diagnoses and how they feel when spoken to.”

 

🗨️ “Excellently delivered, interactive and interesting.”

 

Best wishes for Christmas and the new year from all at Coventry Training Consortium.