iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

Access to Work (AtW) is a vital tool to support people with a learning disability into work, including via supported internships. These sorts of changes will lead to more people with a learning disability stuck at home instead of working. Nobody wants that. www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

mirror.co.uk

011

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

mirror.co.uk

Disabled jobs warning as MPs raise concerns over welfare changes

Led by Labour MP Marsha de Cordova, MPs raised concerns over possible changes to the Access to Work scheme, and hailed it as a vital lifeline for young people with learning disabilities

000

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Marsha de Cordova @marshadecordova.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

Access to Work is a lifeline to disabled people, helping them to find and stay in meaningful work. Changes to this vital scheme will risk damaging disabled people's future opportunities & driving up unemployment as a result. Link to The Mirror piece in bio.

Screenshot of text from piece. Read in bio

055

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 03/12/2025

1/4 💜 Our #ImIn campaign is raising awareness of the learning disability register and encouraging everyone with a learning disability to join. #LearningDisabilityRegister

125

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 08/12/2025

💜 We’re saying I’m In, are you? 👉 Swipe through to see the 3 big benefits of joining the Learning Disability Register. #ImIn #LearningDisabilityRegister

A purple and green graphic with white text on it that says '3 Benefits of being on the learning disability register. Swipe for more.'

A purple and green graphic with white text on it that says 'Access to Free Annual Health Checks. People aged 14 and over on the Learning Disability register are entitled to a free annual health check with their GP. These checks are vital for spotting potential health problems early, which might otherwise be missed as people with a learning disability may struggle to express pain or symptoms.'

A purple and green graphic with a photo of a person with a learning disability smiling towards the camera, as a doctor listens to their heart'. The white text on it that says 'Reasonable Adjustments to Healthcare Services. GP practices and other healthcare providers are required to make "reasonable adjustments" to ensure accessible care. This can include offering longer appointment times, quieter waiting areas, information in Easy Read formats, or the option to have a carer or support worker present during consultations.'

A purple and green graphic with a photo of Rahima who is wearing a green jumper and is sat in a black wheelchair, she smiles towards the camera. The white text on the graphic says 'Priority Access to Vaccinations. People on the Learning Disability Register are eligible for priority access to certain vaccinations, including the annual NHS flu vaccination and any relevant Covid 19 vaccinations/boosters.'

132

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 10/12/2025

3/4 Her studio manager, Charlotte Hollinshead, shared with @theguardian.com : “Nnena has faced an incredible amount of discrimination, which has continued to this day, so hopefully this award helps to smash the prejudice away.”

111

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 10/12/2025

1/4 🎨Huge congratulations to Nnena Kalu on becoming the first artist with a learning disability to win the Turner Prize. Her colourful and expressive sculptures are helping break down barriers, showing that people with a learning disability can achieve anything.

2258

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 10/12/2025

4/4 Alex Farquharson, chair of the jury and director of Tate Britain, described her win as a watershed moment for the international art world, highlighting how it begins to dissolve boundaries. Read more in The Guardian here: brnw.ch/21wYeYg

brnw.ch

Nnena Kalu becomes first artist with a learning disability to win Turner prize

Chair of 2025 judging panel says win ‘begins to erase that border between the neurotypical and neurodiverse artist’

021

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 08/12/2025

It’s quick, easy, and could change lives. Join today at shorturl.at/uXOv3 Thanks to funding from Omaze UK, we’re working to increase the number of people on the Learning Disability Register so they can access annual health checks and tailored healthcare.

A purple and green graphic with a a green icon of a hand pointing down. The white text says 'Are You In? Join the Learning Disability Register today'

002

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

Joint letter from Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, and Ismail Kaji, Mencap’s Parliamentary and Government Engagement Officer (who himself has a learning disability) to everyone who works in a GP surgery. www.mencap.org.uk/easyread/let...

mencap.org.uk

Letter to GPs on the learning disability register and annual health checks

I am Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it. . Easy read

220

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 10/09/2025

1/5 🚨 People with a learning disability are dying on average 20 years younger than those without. Almost 4 in 10 of these deaths are avoidable, caused by barriers to healthcare and lack of access to public health and prevention programmes. #LeDeR #LearningDisability

A photo of Sara smiling towards the camera. There is a pink text box with white text that says "Early deaths of people with a learning disability 'shocking', easy read version"

1119

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 04/09/2025

Our 2024/25 Annual Report is available to read on our website. Find out how Mencap has made progress over the last financial year and learn more about how we’ve used our funds to support people with a learning disability. 👉An Easy Read version is also available here brnw.ch/21wVstA

brnw.ch

Annual reports

001

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

Some minor improvements in this year's LeDeR report, but wholly unacceptable health inequality persists. There is no justification for people with a learning disability to be 3 times more likely to die from treatable conditions. Acknowledged in the NHS 10 year plan, but we need to act with urgency.

120

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Wera Hobhouse MP @werahobhouse.org.uk · 05/08/2025

Before recess, I joined @dcpcampaign.bsky.social & @letuslearntoo.bsky.social in Parliament for the launch of their #FightForOrdinary campaign. I heard directly from families how our broken SEND system is failing their children. Any reform must put their voices at the centre. 👇

2103

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

@janeharrislondon.bsky.social talked to @lbc.co.uk this morning about @dcpcampaign.bsky.social’s #FightForOrdinary campaign, highlighting what’s needed in any SEND reforms to ensure children and their families don’t have to fight for ordinary things that everyone should expect. Listen now📻👇

043

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Disabled Children's Partnership @dcpcampaign.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Share if you agree. It’s time to fix the SEND system. #FightForOrdinary #ReformSEND bit.ly/FFOAction

Hand-written note on lined paper. Note reads "Living your ordinary life shouldn't be a fight. It should be a right."

023

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Parents like Etta want a #SEND system that works. There’s nothing ‘special’ about a SEND system that doesn’t feel like a battle to navigate. #FightForOrdinary bit.ly/FightforOrdi...

bit.ly

Fight for Ordinary - Disabled Children's Partnership

000

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

Tune in to LBC this morning! 📻 Our CEO, Jane Harris, speaks for Disabled Children's Partnership about a shocking report claiming neurodivergence is overdiagnosed — and suggesting EHCPs be limited to special schools. 😠 Removing plans won’t remove children’s needs. #FightForOrdinary?

globalplayer.com

LBC UK - Listen Live | Global Player

Leading Britain's Conversation. Access your favourite LBC shows now!

052

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Important research from @mencap.org.uk on the experience people with a learning disability have of public transport lays bare one of the major barriers people with a learning disability face to inclusion, and sets out what we can do about it. www.mencap.org.uk/learning-dis... #NoJourneyLeftBehind

mencap.org.uk

The Big Public Transport Survey

000

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

Fuel poverty gap doubles in five years with energy prices still rising. People with a #learningdisability simply must be protected from ever increasing energy costs, or they face being pushed into fuel poverty, unable to stay safe, warm and healthy. metro.co.uk/2025/08/27/d...

metro.co.uk

Devastating 'fuel poverty gap' doubles in five years with energy prices still ri

'The government must act with urgency to close the devastating gap in support and tackle this crisis.'

000

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Great to see @toddles23.bsky.social appointed to Chair the Independent Disability Advisory Panel. A strong appointment and a good sign that the government intends to listen properly to the voices of disabled people. www.learningdisabilitytoday.co.uk/news/zara-to...

learningdisabilitytoday.co.uk

Zara Todd chairs new Government panel for disability - Learning Disability Today

Disability rights consultant Zara Todd has been appointed to head the Government's new Independent Disability Advisory Panel, which will focus on health and disability policy.

000

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

So pleased that Disability Minister, Stephen Timms MP was able to join @mencap.org.uk on-site at Yusen Logistics to meet Jimmy, one of our supported interns. Yet another great example of an inclusive employer matched with a supported intern with a learning disability thriving in the workplace.

010

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 12/08/2025

📢 New ONS figures show the employment rate for disabled people remains far lower than for non disabled people.

133

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Such exciting news, @mencap.org.uk Ambassador and Myth Buster, the model and actor Ellie Goldstein set to be on Strictly!

010

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Fantastic news, Ruby got a job at @greeneking.bsky.social after her supported internship and work placement through @mencap.org.uk training academy. We're addressing the disability employment gap person by person, employer by employer.

010

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 29/07/2025

📣 The LeDeR report is delayed and we urge the government to treat this with urgency it deserves and release the critical report. The LeDeR report looks into the failings of the healthcare system to provide the care people with a learning disability deserve.

033

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Very welcome news from Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Disability, this week - announcing the Government’s intention to develop a Plan for Disability, which will set out a clear vision of what this Government is aiming to achieve for disabled people in the longer term and next steps.

221

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Disabled Children's Partnership @dcpcampaign.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

Wow! We’re overwhelmed by the response to our drop-in event with @letuslearntoo.bsky.social. A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to write to their MP – more than 60 constituencies were represented. The Fight For Ordinary starts now.

Mirror Newspaper. Double page spread covering DCP event. Headline reads "I want MPs to see us as humans not just as paperwork" There are several photos of young people at the event alongside MPs.

Sam Carlisle and Olivia Blake holding a black placard that reads "Fight For Ordinary".

011

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 21/07/2025

1/5 🎓 A massive congratulations to Mencap Myth Buster and Paralympic Swimmer Jessica Jane Applegate, who’s just been awarded an honorary doctorate by Loughborough University.

A photo of Jessica Jane sat at a wooden desk smiling towards the camera, she is wearing a red university robe and graduation black hat. There are two men in the photo, one stood on each side of Jessica Jane. The white text says 'This means so much to me having dedicated over half my life to sports but not just that but to be recognised whilst having an invisible disability honestly means the world to me - Jessica Jane'

131

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

This is no ordinary Ambassador Officer vacancy. Take a look at the work of the Mencap Myth Busters if you need to know why. www.mencap.org.uk/what-we-do/m... Join us and bring the lived experience of our ambassadors to the heart of our campaigns and our mission. jobs.mencap.org.uk/vacancies/34...

jobs.mencap.org.uk

Ambassador and Influencer Officer in | Royal Mencap Society

View details and apply for this Ambassador and Influencer Officer vacancy in . Mencap ha s an exciting opportunity to join our Communications team as an Ambassador and Influencer ...

020

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Behind the headlines, this condemns future claimants who cannot work to a lifetime of poverty. By pushing ahead with these cuts, the Government will leave future claimants £3000 a year worse off. www.gov.uk/government/n...

gov.uk

Millions of households to be given income boost as Bill progresses through Parliament

Nearly 4 million households will see an annual income boost estimated to be worth £725 cash as a Bill to overhaul the welfare system completes the next stage of its passage through Parliament.

000

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 07/07/2025

1/3 🌟 A big shout out to Chris, who’s absolutely smashed it on his supported internship @cineworld.bsky.social this year. #SupportedInternships

A colourful pink and orange background with a photo of Natalie and Xavier, who stand next to a Mencap Training Academy banner. They are both smiling towards the camera. The white text says 'Learner Chris enjoying his new job at Cineworld'

361

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

The right to an education, health and care plan must be retained. Whatever the SEND system’s problems, the answer is not to remove the rights of children and young people. Families cannot afford to lose these precious legal protections. www.theguardian.com/education/20...

theguardian.com

The right to an education, health and care plan must be retained | Letters

Letter: Jane Asher, Carrie Grant, Chris Packham, Anna Bird, Fazilet Hadi, Sally Phillips, Jon Sparkes and 100 others call on the government not to remove the right to an EHCP from children attending m...

000

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 02/07/2025

1/4 🎬 From the runway to the big screen. Trailblazing model and Mencap Myth Buster Ellie Goldstein is making her acting debut as Nancy in the iconic CBBC drama Malory Towers. #MaloryTowers #CBBC

121

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Responding to events in Parliament, which will be a relief to many and confusing to many - how did it come to this level of drama. Now standing ready to work with Stephen Timms to ensure PIP works for people with a learning disability to live life to the full.

001

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 30/06/2025

1/5 📣 The government have appeared to make concessions on the benefits bill but now a new report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, has found that despite benefit cuts reportedly being proposed as a way of encouraging people into work, there is a significant lack of “disability confident” roles.

A photo of Liz Kendall in a cream blazer speaking in Parliament. The image is slightly blurred. There is a pink text box with white text that says 'Labour's disability benefits bill is supposed to help people into work but the jobs aren't there.'

145

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 01/07/2025

2/3 This is a positive step, and we’re glad they’ve listened. The review must be thorough and include people with a learning disability.

121

Reposted by Jon Sparkes

Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 01/07/2025

1/3 MPs have passed the Universal Credit and PIP Bill but the Government has delayed changes to PIP until after Sir Stephen Timms’ review.

151

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Great to see members of the @mencap.org.uk #MeTime project in Islington on BBC #MorningLive highlighting the need for inclusion, and especially overcoming the barriers to employment experienced by people with a #learningdisability. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECE2...

youtube.com

BBC Morning Live interviews people from Mencap Me Time

YouTube video by Mencap

000

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

The wonderful Ellie Goldstein on @itvx.com's #LooseWomen during Learning Disability Week on being a model, an actor, and of course a @mencap.org.uk Ambassador and Myth Buster. www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8e3...

youtube.com

The First Fashion Model with Down’s Syndrome on the Cover of Vogue! | Loose Women

YouTube video by Loose Women

020

Jon Sparkes @jonsparkes.bsky.social · 09/06/2025

With the changes to Personal Independence Payments going through Parliament very soon, @mencap.org.uk research with @cordisbright.bsky.social exposes the true cost of living with a learning disability and why the government can't overlook these unavoidable costs. www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PTs...

youtube.com

Bryony from the Voices Council shares why PIP is important 📣

YouTube video by Mencap

141