Mencap

The countdown has begun. ⏰ It’s just one month to go until Learning Disability Week 2026. The theme is “Do you see me?” which is all about people being seen, heard, and valued. Please get involved, celebrate your achievements, and challenge the barriers people with a learning disability face. 👉 Find out more about Learning Disability Week. Link in bio. #DoYouSeeMe #LearningDisabilityWeek #LDWeek2026

Have you joined the learning disability register? Claire, learning disability nurse and Makaton tutor, explains why it matters and shares the Makaton sign for learning disability. The learning disability register is a list held by your GP surgery. It helps doctors and nurses know how to support you in the best way. Being on the learning disability register means free annual health checks for people aged 14+, and priority access to flu vaccinations. If you've said “I’m In” and joined the learning disability register, you can help spread the word. Join the I’m In challenge and we’ll send you a free pin badge to show you're in and helpful resources on how you can support. Link in bio Video description: Claire, a learning disability nurse and Makaton tutor, explains the learning disability register and why it is important. She signs “learning disability” in Makaton and encourages people with a learning disability to ask their GP to join the register. #LearningDisability #ImIn #LearningDisabilityRegister

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the wonderful Ellie Goldstein and the extraordinary legacy she created, following her trailblazing appearance on Strictly Come Dancing this year. 🪩 Earlier this week, The Duchess of Edinburgh welcomed Ellie and her Strictly partner, Vito, to St James’s Palace for a special afternoon tea. Alongside Ellie’s mum and the CEO of @Mencap , the trio discussed the lasting impact of Ellie’s appearance on the show - and there was even time to show Her Royal Highness a few moves! 💃🕺 Her Royal Highness is Patron of @Mencap , a charity that support people with a learning disability, their families and carers.

This week, communities across the UK are coming together for A Million Acts of Hope @1mactsofhope and celebrating the small acts of kindness, belonging and togetherness that make a big difference. We’re proud that Mencap is part of this movement. Me Time Tameside is a community led social inclusion and leisure programme, helping people with a learning disability develop the skills and confidence to access local events and activities. Me Time Programme Coodinator, Becky Goodwin told @dailymirror “Being part of A Million Acts of Hope feels incredibly meaningful for everyone ” “The one simple change of moving into the heart of Tameside has created countless hopeful moments. These everyday moments of connection and belonging are exactly what A Million Acts of Hope is about.” James, who attends the project, shares the impact it’s had: “Mencap Tameside has helped me a lot. When I first started I was the shyest one ever. I have enjoyed being with everyone and liked it so much. I’ve changed a lot. I love it here.” Over 72,000 people have signed the UK’s biggest thank you card. Join us in saying thank you to the hopefuls. Link in bio. #MillionActsOfHope #LearningDisability

This Mental Health Awareness Week, Mencap Training Academy coaches and learners have been taking time to focus on their wellbeing💚 In Staffordshire, interns and skills coaches had a puppy therapy session, while in Worcester learners created a gratitude wall sharing the people, moments and things they’re thankful for. Looking after your mental health can mean spending time with others, taking a moment to reflect, or doing something that brings you joy. Our supported internships help young people with a learning disability build confidence, develop skills and feel more included in the workplace and their communities. Find out more. Link in bio #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #LearningDisability #SupportedInternships

In her latest blog, Digital Assistant Amy Clarke talks about learning disability and mental health and why people often get them confused, She said “Some people with a learning disability can also have mental health problems. But learning disability and mental health are different things." Taking the time to understand each other a little better can help people get the right support and feel more included and valued in society. "Sometimes people talk to me like I cannot understand anything. Really, I just need things explained clearly and simply. That does not mean I cannot make my own choices or live my own life." Read the full blog on our website. #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #LearningDisability

David lives at Rowan House, a Mencap supported living service for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). With personalised support and a team who truly understand him, David's doing the things he loves most, like painting, baking, and meeting new people. As part of the @1mactsofhope week of action, we’re celebrating the carers, support workers, families, volunteers and communities whose everyday actions make hope possible. Because even when the world feels heavy, hope still shows up in people. Join us in signing the UK’s biggest thank you card and help make hope louder than hate. Link in bio #MillionActsOfHope #LearningDisability #Inclusion

Huge congratulations to Mencap Campaigner Rahima, who attended the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of her incredible work supporting people with a learning disability. Each year, over 30,000 guests are invited to enjoy a relaxed summer afternoon in the beautiful Palace gardens, bringing together people from all walks of life who have made a positive impact in their communities. Rahima’s invitation is a truly well deserved honour. Rahima said, "I have been very excited about my nomination. When I heard the news I was so happy and planned my outfit and make up well in advance. The day was so exciting and everyone in the palace was very warm and welcoming. I got to meet the Duke of Edinburgh and he was extremely kind to me. Everyone congratulated me on my work with Mencap and complimented my outfit also! I will always remember this day as being one of the best days of my life. I’d like to say a big thank you to the team at Mencap." Here's to Rahima and the voices that challenge myths and champion inclusion every day. #LearningDisability

Tracy Welford has been part of Mencap’s journey for 36 years, supporting people with a learning disability to live life to the full. In our Mencap Matters Spring edition, she reflects on how far we’ve come and what still needs to change. Over the years, Tracy has seen real progress. But she’s also seen that too many people are still not getting the support they need, and are still not being seen, heard or valued in everyday life. Our Mencap 2030 strategy is focused on what comes next: growing person centred services, building more inclusive communities, and breaking down the barriers that still exist. 💬 Tracy shared: “People I’ve supported have been labelled challenging, but they’re not. They just need the right support from the right people. Mencap is going to make that happen. I know when we all come together, Mencap 2030 will get us there.” As we celebrate 80 years of Mencap this year, we’re looking back on the moments that shaped us and the people behind them. Have you been part of that journey? Share your Mencap moment and help us celebrate 80 years together. Link in bio. #MencapMatters #Mencap80 #LearningDisability

We’re proud to be partnering with Admiral Group Plc @admirallife to launch Employ Me Cymru, a new supported employment programme helping people with a learning disability in rural mid Wales gain the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to move into paid work. Right now, around 67,000 people in Wales have a learning disability, yet only a small number are in employment. Too many people are being locked out, not because they can’t work, but because the right support isn’t there. This partnership is changing that. Through Employ Me Cymru, people with a learning disability will receive tailored one to one job coaching, skills workshops, travel training and practical support to help them find and stay in work. Mencap Chief Executive Officer, Jon Sparkes OBE shared his thoughts on the partnership: “Together with Admiral, we will open up more pathways into meaningful, paid employment, helping people with a learning disability build confidence, independence and the chance to live their lives to the full. This is exactly the kind of partnership that can create lasting change.” Read more on our website.

📢 The Government has announced that over 4,000 @dwpgovuk assessors have completed the Oliver Mc Gowan training on learning disability. For years, people with a learning disability have told us that the benefits system doesn’t work for them and they've faced stressful and unfair benefits assessments, often because they weren’t properly understood. “I remember I had to do a face to face assessment, I was nervous and anxious. My words get mixed up, especially if I’m anxious.” - Mencap Policy Shaper We listened. And we pushed for change. We challenged the DWP to act, and this training is an important step towards a more accessible and inclusive benefits system. But we’re not stopping here. We’re also calling for Tier 2 training, led by people with a learning disability, in every Jobcentre, to offer the right support to potential job seekers. Read the full blog on our website. Link in bio. #LearningDisability

Mencap’s Parliamentary and Government Officer, Ismail, breaks down what you need to know about the upcoming local elections on 7 May in England and the Senedd elections in Wales, including key deadlines and how to make your voice heard. Today is the last day to apply to vote by proxy and to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate if you don’t have ID. 👉 Find out more and get the support you need to have your say. Link in bio. #LocalElections #SeneddElections #LearningDisability Video description Mencap’s Parliamentary and Government Officer, Ismail is wearing a navy blue sweater speaks directly to camera with a small microphone clipped to his top. He explains key information about the upcoming local elections in England and the Senedd elections in Wales, including important deadlines and how people with a learning disability can take part in voting.