Mencap

Mencap Supporting people with a learning disability to live their lives to the full💜

04/06/2026

Phil, a dad tells us what the Fight for Freedom looked like for his son, Josh, and why having the right housing and support were vital to bringing him home.

That's what today's Homes not Hospitals conference is all about.

We're proud to be delivering vital projects like this thanks to the generous funding provided by .

Mencap’s Learning Disability Helpline offers free advice and support for people with a learning disability, who may also be autistic, as well as their families and carers. The team is here to listen, offer guidance and help you find the right support.

Call us on 0808 808 1111 or email [email protected].

We are delighted to share photos of Mencap Mythbuster Michael and his Guinness World Records certificate. On May 16, Mic...
03/06/2026

We are delighted to share photos of Mencap Mythbuster Michael and his Guinness World Records certificate.

On May 16, Michael not only completed the triathlon after having learnt to swim and cycle, but beat his own target time by an incredible 15 minutes. He swam 750 metres, cycled 20km and ran 5km in 2 hours, 29 minutes and 11 seconds.

Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive Officer at Mencap says: “Achieving a Guinness World Record after learning entirely new disciplines in such a short time is an incredible accomplishment."

"A learning disability is a reduced intellectual capacity that is lifelong and unchanging, but that doesn’t mean people cannot learn new things. Michael is proof of that."

Find out more about Mencap Myth Buster Michael, here: http://brnw.ch/21x33e9

01/06/2026

The clock is ticking.

Only 2 weeks to go until Learning Disability Week 2026. The theme is "Do you see me?", which is all about people being seen, heard, and valued.

Mencap's Research Advisor Harry, explains what a learning disability is.

Find out more on our website https://sl1nk.com/xbax5sg



Video description: Harry, a man wearing a black t-shirt, holds the camera up as he talks about what having a learning disability means.

31/05/2026

15 years ago, a whistle blower alerted the BBC to abuse taking place behind locked doors at Winterbourne View, a mental health hospital.

The undercover Panorama investigation that followed shocked the nation.

Colin, a whistleblower, and Ann, whose son Simon was at Winterbourne View, reflect on their experiences and the impact of the scandal 15 years on.

Too many people with a learning disability and autistic people are still being detained in mental health hospitals because of a lack of the right community support, such as suitable housing and the right social care.

We must make sure scandals like this are a thing of the past.

Leave a message for the people with the power to change things. We’ll share your messages with them. https://secure.mencap.org.uk/en-gb/fight_for_freedom



Video description: A captioned talking-head video alternates between Ann, Simon’s mother, seated in an armchair, and a second interviewee speaking against a dark background. Both speakers share personal reflections about Simon’s experiences and the lasting impact of restrictive practices on his wellbeing. The conversation highlights fear, trauma, understanding, and the need for person-centred support. Pink-and-white subtitles appear on screen throughout the video.

Today marks 15 years since BBC Panorama exposed the abuse at Winterbourne View, a mental health hospital. Since then, w...
31/05/2026

Today marks 15 years since BBC Panorama exposed the abuse at Winterbourne View, a mental health hospital.

Since then, we've campaigned alongside families, The Challenging Behaviour Foundation, National Autistic Society and others for real change.

Data from NHS Digital 2026 shows that more than 2,000 people with a learning disability and/or autistic people are still locked away in mental health hospitals, with an average stay of almost 5 years.

The Government has promised to end the inappropriate detention of people with a learning disability and autistic people through changes to the Mental Health Act. But these changes will only come in when the right community support, social care and housing are in place.

Right now, there is no clear plan or timeline from the Government for making that happen. Many promises have been made, and many targets missed.

We must make sure scandals like this are a thing of the past.

Leave a message for the people with the power to change things. We’ll share your messages with them. https://brnw.ch/21x2YnL

29/05/2026

This Sunday marks the 15th anniversary of the BBC Panorama programme which exposed the shocking abuse taking place at the Winterbourne View mental health Hospital.

Ann, whose son Simon was at Winterbourne View, spoke on BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour earlier this week about his experience and the impact 15 years on.

Read about Winterbourne View here: https://www.mencap.org.uk/what-we-do/campaigns-and-activism/our-work-winterbourne-view



Video description: Two photographs are shown. Ann wears a dark blue top and is standing next to her son Simon who wears a striped t-shirt. The are standing in a grassy field. The second photo shows radio presenter Nuala McGovern sitting at her radio presenters' desk in front of an orange microphone. Nuala wears a green top.

This week for BBC week, BBC EastEnders shone a spotlight on caring for a person with a learning disability.The storyli...
28/05/2026

This week for BBC week, BBC EastEnders shone a spotlight on caring for a person with a learning disability.

The storyline follows Will Mitchell as he attempts to juggle caring for his sister Janet who has Down Syndrome while supporting his family at home as his mother is recovering from a recent injury.

Amy, Digital Assistant at Mencap, said: "I think it’s good that TV programmes show that not everyone has a choice in being a carer. Things happen in life. Circumstances out of our control like an accident or illness, means anyone might have to step up for someone they’re close to and become a carer."

"But it’s also important the programmes show the reality of being a carer. It can be a tough role and take a lot out of you."

Read Amy's blog and find what support is available to carers here: https://brnw.ch/21x2TLk

People with a learning disability are dying on average nearly 20 years younger than people without a learning disability...
27/05/2026

People with a learning disability are dying on average nearly 20 years younger than people without a learning disability. And almost 2 in 5 deaths were avoidable.

That's why we've just delivered 5 Community Health Conferences across the country, bringing together health professionals, educators, community partners, advocates, and people with a learning disability (LeDeR 2026).

Together we're asking people with a learning disability to say I'm in and join the learning disability register. It’s free to join and is an important way to get the right healthcare support.

Huge thank you to Bromley Mencap, Barnet Mencap, Midland Mencap, Liverpool and Sefton Mencap, Wirral Mencap, WECIL, and Worthing Mencap. And thank you to Omaze UK's generous funding.

Help us spread the word and get even more people with a learning disability to say I’m In: https://brnw.ch/21x2R8t

26/05/2026

One Big Walk is only 3 weeks away!

This Learning Disability Week, we're walking together celebrate the strength, voices and achievements of people with a learning disability from 15-21 June.

Vijay from Mencap’s campaigns team is sharing his 5 top tips as he takes on One Big Walk this year.

👉 Sign up with this link and get a free whistle: https://givp.nl/register/Gx6dkRsY



Video description: A man wearing a bright pink Mencap T-shirt speaks directly to camera in a series of outdoor and indoor locations while sharing five tips for taking part in Mencap’s One Big Walk. The video includes scenes of him walking through city streets, smiling participants wearing pink event shirts, and people celebrating and hugging at a group fundraising walk.

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