THE Discovery Festival is returning this year and will be running from Wednesday 3 to Friday 5 December, with the hub of activity based in High Chelmer Shopping Centre.

Organised by Chelmsford City Council in partnership with ecdp (Essex Coalition of Disabled People), the Discovery Festival is encouraging everyone to discover disability through music, dance, arts, workshops and sporting activities.

This year will give the community a chance to try out a number of sports from Table Cricket to Boccia where there will even be the opportunity to challenge Paralympic Gold Medalist Dan Bentley to a game. If you don’t fancy these why not have a spin at wheelchair dancing with Thameside Wheelchair Dancing Group.

The festival is set to host a number of fantastic and inspirational performances including the likes of Crafty Drama from Essex Cares, a signing performance from Hands 4 Voices and even a Pirate themed performance from Zinc Arts Drama group. The Outreach Academy Dancers are even holding a workshop – so bring your dancing shoes!

There will also be plenty of opportunities to get involved with a range of interactive elements and activities by challenging yourself to solve Essex Travel Training’s Discovery Hunt, or even to show your creative side with the help of Zinc Arts.

Chelmsford City Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Nicolette Chambers, said: “The Discovery Festival will be a great opportunity for all Chelmsford residents to learn about the impact of living with a disability and the incredible range of support services available in our area; enabling all attendees to learn something new about disability.”

Essex Travel Training’s Lead Trainer, Jayne Hadlow, added “Last year we were able to see how the Discovery Festival encourages people to see how disability can affect lives and how organisations like ours help people make independent choices and gain knowledge about what is available to them. Awareness is the key and the festival raises the awareness with the general public. We are very proud to take part in this year’s event following the success of last year.”

Put the date in your diary and join us between the 3-5 December to start your own journey of discovery. For more information about the event and to view a full programme of what’s on during the week, please visit: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/discoveryfestival