00:00David is 35 years old and has a learning disability.
00:03As a community connector, he supports others in Margate with a learning disability
00:08to take part in physical and wellbeing activities.
00:11But due to the recent extreme heat, they've had to cut some of those sessions short.
00:16And they want to rest as much as they want because it's like really, really hot heat
00:20and it makes them feel a lot tired in the day, like doing activities, physical activity.
00:28I've seen groups in my sessions like coming in a little bit later in the session
00:32because it's really quite warm for them and the humidity of the weather,
00:35it's just making them feel like, I don't want to come in the group, it's too hot.
00:40People with a learning disability may be more vulnerable in extreme heat
00:43because they may find it harder to communicate, may need support to stay hydrated,
00:49may have underlying health conditions which are made worse by higher temperatures
00:53or live in environments where maintaining a comfortable temperature is challenging.
00:57So David feels like the learning disability community are often overlooked
01:02and wants the public to be more mindful of their struggles.
01:06It's important to recognise people with a learning disability.
01:10It is very hard for people with a learning disability and it is such tricky.
01:21If it was really, really, really, really hot to do activity, physical activity like gardening
01:27or going to multi-sports or different things outside the community.
01:32Gardening is one of the activities that the community can take part in
01:35and they do more than just provide a change in scenery.
01:38This garden has been up and running for about four years now.
01:42And for the duration of the four years, it has provided a space for people with learning disabilities
01:46and other members of the community to come and meet new people.
01:50It's been quite a while since I've been here at the garden because I felt quite tired and worn out
01:57not coming here.
02:00And what kind of things do you like to do in the garden?
02:05Watering the plants, finding different things like we're growing things like vegetables like courgettes.
02:10Throughout the heat, David has had to set reminders on his phone to drink water, wear sunscreen and stay cool.
02:16As the heat makes it harder for him to remember everything.
02:19But for David, staying safe in the heat means taking extra steps that many of us might take for granted.
02:25And he hopes that people with learning disabilities aren't forgotten as temperatures continue to change.
02:30Nayla Mohamed for KMTV in Margate.
