Claire Morgan 27/07/2026 Joe's SoapboxNews

AdFest 2026 was a great success. Thank you to everyone who took part and made it a great two days.

AdFest focused on self-advocacy across the world. What we could learn from each other and ways we can work together as well as make friends.

It was wonderful that colleagues from Ghana, the Republic of Ireland and Brighton could join us.

All three nations were very impressed with self-advocacy in Wales.

It was wonderful that all of our amazing workshops were co-produced and co-delivered with self-advocates in Wales.

The feedback we have had from all delegates has been excellent.

The National Council Chair, Lucy Hinksman and I attended an Inclusion Europe conference in Vincenza, Italy in May too.

What was very clear to Lucy and I was that many of the problems people with Learning Disabilities face in the United Kingdom are also happening across Europe.

This was made clear through the Inclusion Indicators produced by Inclusion Europe.

The Inclusion Indicators shows how well each nation in Europe is doing at including people with learning disabilities.

It includes all kinds of areas, including employment and community participation.

Wales is not represented in these statistics.

Our National Council said that All Wales People First should work with Inclusion Europe to bridge this gap.

This was after a presentation that National Council Chair, Lucy Hinksman gave to the members.

What was also clear to me in Italy was that All Wales People First could play a strong role in a united response to addressing inequalities.

We will now be working on this.

There was also strong interest in Italy about AdFest. I would like to think that future AdFest events could unite us with more self-advocates in Europe.

This is especially important given the very difficult times we are living in.

Both AdFest and the Inclusion Europe events were very clear indicators to me that All Wales People First have a bigger part to play in the international self-advocacy movement.

We will keep you updated on the progress we make.

Victory for Self-Advocacy!