Residents from Lisieux Trust joined Chair of Trustees Paul Eeles at Sutton Park yesterday as ITV Central filmed a feature on the barriers people with disabilities can face when going on holiday.

Mark and Elizabeth took part alongside Paul, sharing their experiences after recently returning from a summer break, while Paul was interviewed by ITV reporters for a broadcast due to air soon.

ITV Central approached the Trust last week to contribute to the piece, which is exploring the obstacles many disabled people still face when trying to enjoy holidays and leisure time away from home.

During his interview, Paul explained that Lisieux Trust has been supporting adults with learning disabilities and autism in Sutton Coldfield and Erdington for 40 years, helping people to live happy, enriched lives with greater independence.

Today, the Trust supports more than 60 people, with teams working every day to create opportunities for choice, confidence and independence.

That includes planning at least one seaside holiday each year for residents, making sure the people Lisieux Trust supports have the chance to enjoy breaks away, build confidence and make lasting memories.

The filming also provided an opportunity to highlight that accessibility at seaside destinations should not only be considered for people with physical disabilities, but also for people with learning disabilities and autism.

Elizabeth said the experience was “great” and added, “I really enjoyed it.” Mark, a passionate advocate for mental health causes, said: “It’s good to get these points across.”

Lisieux Trust welcomed the chance to help shine a light on the issue and to raise awareness of the practical changes that could make holidays more inclusive for everyone.

Among the changes that could make a real difference, clear and accessible signage remains one of the most important. Information such as beach safety guidance is not always presented in a way that is easy for everyone to understand.

Quieter spaces could also help more people enjoy day trips and holidays. While many concert venues now offer calm areas, similar thinking could be applied to beaches through less crowded spaces and to attractions such as amusement arcades by offering autism-friendly sessions.

The report will be aired by ITV in the coming days. Keep an eye out for updates on our socials.

If you would like to support Lisieux Trust’s work in helping adults with a learning disability and autism live lives full of opportunity and choice and keep fighting for change, you can make a donation here. Every contribution helps create more opportunities for the people we support.