Outside The Box Cafe

19/06/2026

👐🌎 See me as... part of the community!

Outside the Box showed up in all our colours at Ilkley Carnival 2026, dressed to the nines with our theme of 'My Favourite Childhood Book' 📚

We asked Megan, Emily and Andy how they found their experience walking in the carnival:

✨ 'I loved it! I liked dressing up and waving at people'
✨ 'I'd done the carnival before, and I felt happy and proud'
✨ 'I liked showing my work, and can't wait to take part next year!'
✨ 'I felt seen, I was expressing myself through my character'

We're always delighted to get out and about in the community, and to show everyone how joyful, brilliant, colourful and fun our OTB members are 🧡⭐

18/06/2026

🎨💐 See me as... an expressive creative!

Sarah has been a member at OTB for 9 years, and she enjoys more than anything to create artwork on flowers 🌼

When she's being creative at OTB, Sarah says she feels 'happy, content and safe' and that she loves to have her work displayed for others to see 🌷

'I am supported by OTB tutors and Support Workers, my friends, other members and volunteers. I am safe at OTB to come and do my own creative work'

For Ilkley Carnival 2026, Sarah created this beautiful 3D interpretation of 'The Secret Garden' - isn't it fantastic?

Amazing work, Sarah ⭐

18/06/2026

🖼️🧑‍🎨 See me as... a talented artist!

Morgan has been a member at Outside the Box for 7 years, and he's involved in a range of our 'Choices' sessions, including Print Group 🎨

In his time with Print Group, Morgan's work has been exhibited in local spaces, Tinker Gallery and alongside a piece by prominent pop artist Peter Blake at Palette Gallery - wow!

Morgan says his favourite part of Print Group is 'seeing friends', and described exhibiting his work as 'great! It made me proud' 🧡

Morgan's piece inspired by The Beatles was displayed at Palette Gallery with a special sign alongside, saying 'Absolutely Not For Sale - Priceless'!

Keep being brilliant, Morgan! ⭐

17/06/2026

🏃🚴 See me as... fit and active!

We spoke to Steve, tutor of our 'Fit & Fun' sessions, about how he adapts sessions to make them more accessible...

✨ How do you adapt sessions?
We vary the training to be inclusive, with smaller groups and time outs for calming, breathing exercises and quiet time

✨ Why is it important to you to make fitness accessible?
Everyone needs to feel comfortable and enjoy the sessions at the same time as gaining fitness skills. Each session needs to have the flexibility to allow our members to adapt and learn while feeling confident and safe

✨ What barriers have you seen our members face when accessing fitness?
Lacking confidence, anxiety and low expectations from instructors

✨ What skills do you think a fitness professional needs to work well with neurodiverse clients?
Understanding, enthusiasm, patience and imagination!

✨ What do you enjoy most about leading 'Fit & Fun' sessions at Outside the Box?
Seeing members enjoying themselves whilst learning and getting fit is fantastic - they're brilliant

Thank you, Steve - and a big shoutout to our brilliant Fit & Fun Group! ⭐🧡

17/06/2026

🏨🛎️ See me as... a happy and capable employee!

Mason has been a member at OTB for 3 years, and also works in a hotel as a breakfast waiter twice a week 🥐🍳

'I like it because I use different skills,' Mason says, 'I am always smiling because I'm happy to be there!'

Mason has valuable experience with communication skills, organisation and customer service skills through his job, and would like to say to anyone who thinks someone with learning disabilities cannot work, 'I can work! I stay calm working with people and I am very happy where I am' 🧡

Excellent work, Mason! ⭐

16/06/2026

💪✨ See me as... a leader!

Oliver has been a member at OTB for 2 years, and also works every week to help others with travel training on buses around the community 🚌

Oliver helps others to travel confidently, stay safe and build their independence - all of which has built Oliver's own confidence and knowledge 😊

'My favourite moment was taking people out on the bus for the first time, seeing others grow in confidence,' Oliver says, 'the people at work always make me smile' 🧡

'People with learning disabilities absolutely can work, they just need the right support. There's nothing to say they can't work!'

You're doing amazing work, Oliver! ⭐

16/06/2026

🏢💪 See me as... a hard worker!

Finn has been a member at OTB for 2 years, and also attends college to study Entry Level Foundation Skills 😊

He's spent time learning cooking skills, practicing gardening, English and Maths 📚🎒

Finn says, 'I enjoy seeing my friends, and feel confident when I go. My favourite memory was getting the train independently for the first time!'

Finn would like to work in a hotel as a receptionist in the future, and is putting in so much amazing hard work - well done, Finn!

16/06/2026

We're delighted to be supporting Ilkley Pride! 🏳️‍🌈🧡

A huge shoutout to Outside The Box Cafe for their fantastic sponsorship of Ilkley Pride this year! Their generous support has been instrumental in making this event possible, and we're incredibly grateful for their commitment to celebrating diversity and inclusion within our community.

Outside the Box Café is more than just a place to grab a coffee and a bite to eat.
It's a vibrant community hub that provides training and employment opportunities for adults with learning disabilities. They offer a warm and welcoming space where everyone feels included, and their commitment to social inclusion perfectly aligns with the values of Ilkley Pride.

15/06/2026

👩‍🎤🎶 See me as... a confident performer!

For LD Week this evening, we're shining a light on Eve's brilliant work as a performer ✨

Eve has been a member at OTB for 3 years, and has performed as a singer at the Saltaire Heritage Festival, with plans to do the same at Piece Hall in Halifax next year 🧡

'I was very nervous to perform at first, I was shaking, but I managed to do it and people cheered me on! I love to sing and also play the drums,' says Eve.

If you're nervous about putting yourself out there creatively, Eve recommends thinking through all of the different ways you can express yourself. 'Think about whether you'd like to sing, duet or play an instrument!'

Congratulations, Eve! Keep being a star ⭐😊

15/06/2026

🧡🏅 See me as... someone who can compete!

Our first LD Week Spotlight is on Andy 🏃🎽

Andy has been a member of Outside the Box for two years, and he told us all about his achievements at the Special Olympics in 2017...

The Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organisation for people with learning disabilities. Andy competed in the 200m spring and the Relay, winning a silver medal for the sprint as you can see!

'It felt great to compete, I loved all of it. Try out a new sport and see how you get on,' Andy says.

Andy is an ambassador for the games, and is incredibly proud of his 'enthusiasm to do lots in life' - well done, Andy! ✨😊