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@mencap.org.uk
1.4K followers 121 following 718 posts

Supporting people with a learning disability to live their lives to the full💜 Find out more: linktr.ee/mencap

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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 04/06/2026
Mencap’s Director of Strategy and Influence, Jackie O’Sullivan, shares why this conference matters and what needs to happen next. Sign up to campaign with us: brnw.ch/21x35ms
brnw.ch
Transforming care - homes not hospitals
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 04/06/2026
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.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 04/06/2026
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.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 04/06/2026
1/1 Today at our #HomesNotHospitals conference, families, housing providers, social care leaders, NHS professionals and campaigners have come together to to ask one urgent question: how do we make sure the right community support is in place?
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Reposted by Mencap
Disability Rights UK @disrightsuk.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
For a multitude of factors, Disabled people more likely to experience food poverty. 🗣️We want to hear your experiences to best inform our work fighting this 📝Take part in our survey surveymonkey.com/r/3LTWP8L 📝Easy Read surveymonkey.com/r/75SQ2QN 📝BSL www.surveymonkey.com/r/7VCMQX5
surveymonkey.com
Disability Poverty Campaign Group food poverty survey.
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
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Reposted by Mencap
Jen Craft @thurrockjen.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Great to chair a joint meeting of the APPGs on Learning Disability, Autism, and ADHD. Thanks so much to @mencap.org.uk for setting it up, and @georgiagould.bsky.social for joining us.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 10/03/2026
Behind every detention is a family missing birthdays, celebrations and everyday moments together. Join us, and ask “What does it take to bring people home?” 📍Opens Friday 13 March, Rich Mix, Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, London. Find out more brnw.ch/21x0ABG
Graphic with a headline “Restrained and locked away.” It promotes a free exhibition from 13 to 19 March 2026 at Rich Mix, Shoreditch, highlighting how thousands of people with a learning disability or autistic people are locked away in mental health hospitals. The graphic includes a black and white artwork called Isolation by Josh of his brother’s experience in a mental health hospital, showing a faceless figure with a “Seeking Help” blindfold.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 05/03/2026
If you’ve ever wondered how leaving a gift in your Will could make a difference for people with a learning disability, this event is a great place to start.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 20/02/2026
"Through our #ImIn campaign we’re working with health partners across the UK to get more people on the Learning Disability Register. Being on the register means they’ll receive free annual health checks". Find out more brnw.ch/21x07cS
brnw.ch
I'm in - Join the Campaign
Our I’m In campaign raises awareness of the learning disability register so everyone with a learning disability gets better health care and a free annual health check. Join us and make healthcare fairer.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 20/02/2026
@jonsparkes.bsky.social OBE, Chief Executice Officer at Mencap said: “Too many men with a learning disability are being let down by a health system that doesn’t spot their cancers early enough or support them to navigate complex treatments".
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 20/02/2026
The study found men with a learning disability are 35% more likely to have prostate cancer symptoms, but 34% less likely to get a Prostate Specific Antigen test, one of the key checks that can lead to an early diagnosis.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 20/02/2026
New research from @nihr-gmpsrc.bsky.social highlights stark inequalities for men with a learning disability diagnosed with prostate cancer.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 18/02/2026
We’re offering £500 grants for organisations helping more people with a learning disability join their GP’s learning disability register. 👉Better healthcare starts with being on the learning disability register brnw.ch/21x02AN #ImIn
brnw.ch
| Mencap
Charity number 222377 (England and Wales); SC041079 (Scotland)
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 09/02/2026
Co produced with families and campaigners, we invite you to step inside these experiences and ask, “What does it take to bring people home?”
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 09/02/2026
The exhibition will share the real stories behind the statistics, stories of confinement, of families torn apart, and of the fight to bring people home.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 09/02/2026
The Fight for Freedom is a free exhibition that sits at the heart of Mencap’s ongoing Homes not Hospitals campaign, calling for an end to inappropriate detention and for properly funded, life changing support in the community.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 09/02/2026
⏰ Something powerful is coming to London. Save the date.
Graphic with a headline “Restrained and locked away.” It promotes a free exhibition from 13 to 19 March 2026 at Rich Mix, Shoreditch, highlighting how thousands of people with a learning disability or autistic people are locked away in mental health hospitals. The graphic includes a black and white artwork called Isolation by Josh of his brother’s experience in a mental health hospital, showing a faceless figure with a “Seeking Help” blindfold.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 05/02/2026
Free speech is not hate speech. Using the R-word is never acceptable.
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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’
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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.”
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 10/12/2025
2/4 Nnena, a British Nigerian artist with a learning disability and limited verbal communication, has faced challenges throughout her journey.
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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.
A photo of Nnena Kalu designing a pink, blue and yellow piece of art and smiling. She wears a striped floral t shirt and a purple apron. The pink text box has the blue logo of the guardian news outlet. There is white text on the graphic that says 'Nnena Kalu becomes first artist with a learning disability to win Turner prize'
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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'
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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.'
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 03/12/2025
4/4 To join our campaign and build a letter that you can take to your GP and ask to be added to the learning disability register, fill it out here: brnw.ch/21wY2qq Join the thousands who’ve said “I’m In” and join the learning disability register.
brnw.ch
Join the learning disability register today
This letter building tool lets you create a letter to your doctors surgery to ask them to put you on their learning disabi...
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 03/12/2025
3/4 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.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 03/12/2025
2/4 Ciara explains what being on the learning disability register means, "Your needs are respected and better healthcare"
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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
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 26/11/2025
2/2 There was no mention of social care funding, which so many people with a learning disability and their families rely on every day from getting out of bed to washing and eating food.
A cream and pink graphic with a photo of four smiling towards the camera. The pink text says '2 child benefit cap will end. The 2 child benefit cap prevents parents from claiming child tax credit and Universal Credit for more than two children.Removing this cap will lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty, and will help many families who have children with a learning disability.'
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 26/11/2025
1/2 🚨 The chancellor Rachel Reeves has released the government's Autumn budget today. There was lots in the budget, including some plans that will impact people with a learning disability and their families. Swipe to find out what we think. #Budget2025
A pink graphic with a photo of the chancellor Rachel Reeves in a Navy blazer, she is smiling whilst holding up a red brief case. The cream text says 'Today, the government released their Autumn budget. Here’s what we think'A cream and pink graphic with a photo of a mother helping her daughter with a learning disability in the kitchen. The pink text says 'Longer Personal Independence Payment (PIP) awards. The government announced that they will reduce Personal
 Independence Payment (PIP) reassessments. Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reassesses 700 people with a learning disability every month for PIP, even though learning disabilities are lifelong and do not change. We welcome plans to reduce these reassessments.'A purple graphic with a photo of two women sat on a sofa chatting to each other. The purple and white text says 'Face to face assessments for disability benefits. The chancellor announced more benefits assessments will take place face to
 face. We know many people with a learning disability prefer this. However, we hope claimants can pick the right type of assessment for them.'
A blue and white graphic with a photo of a young woman working with her colleague showing her what to do. The white text says 'Apprenticeships for people under 25 will be free for small to medium sized businesses. Apprenticeships can be
 a great pathway into work for people with a learning disability. It is good to see the government investing in expanding training opportunities.'
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 24/11/2025
5/5 Families are being pushed to breaking point. With the Budget just days away, we’re asking the Chancellor to remember the people behind the numbers and make social care a national priority. Read the real stories here: careandsupportalliance.com/figures-that...
careandsupportalliance.com
Autumn Budget 2025: The Real Figures that Matter - Care And Support Alliance
As the Chancellor prepares the 2025 autumn Budget, we at the Care and Support Alliance urge her to remember the real people behind the numbers – and to make social care a national priority. This month...
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 24/11/2025
4/5 Analysis from Healthwatch found that up to 1.5 million disabled adults in England are eligible for support but aren’t receiving it. Social care is not a luxury. It’s a lifeline. Yet right now, millions are going without the support they need to live safely and with dignity.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 24/11/2025
3/5 Inside were the voices that matter most, disabled people, older people, and unpaid carers, all calling for urgent action on social care.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 24/11/2025
2/5 Mencap Director of Strategy @jackieosullivan.bsky.social was there alongside Ismail and John from the Mencap policy team.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 24/11/2025
1/5 📢 Today, we joined the Care and Support Alliance and other charities like Age UK and Carers UK to deliver a symbolic red box of real stories to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves at 11 Downing Street. #SocialCare #FiguresThatMatter
A group of people with placards sat outside downing street.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 17/11/2025
5/5 The NHS must do better. Everyone deserves to be listened to, taken seriously, and treated with urgency.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 17/11/2025
4/5 As @jonsparkes.bsky.social, Mencap’s Chief Executive, told the BBC News: “It’s unacceptable that late diagnosis and lack of urgent referral for treatment is costing people with a learning disability years of life.”
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 17/11/2025
3/5 Researchers from the University of Manchester and the Christie NHS Foundation Trust found symptoms are investigated less often and treatment is limited. No one should be ignored when they say something’s wrong.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 17/11/2025
2/5 A new study has revealed that people with a learning disability face higher cancer risks and poorer outcomes. Annabell, who is supported by Mencap, knows this reality too well. Her cancer was diagnosed late after her concerns were repeatedly dismissed.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 17/11/2025
1/5 💬 "We're human like the rest of the world" says Annabell Downey told @skynewsrss.bsky.social #LearningDisability
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 12/11/2025
4/4 People with a learning disability deserve fair pay, real choices, and workplaces that recognise the value they bring.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 12/11/2025
3/4 Mencap Chief Executive, @jonsparkes.bsky.social OBE says: “It is unacceptable that the disability pay gap means people with a learning disability will be effectively working for the rest of the year for free. For too long disabled people have been shut out of the workforce or paid less.”
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 12/11/2025
2/4 Today marks #DisabilityPayGapDay, the moment when earnings for disabled workers effectively “run out” compared with non-disabled colleagues.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 12/11/2025
1/4 What if your pay simply…stopped? 💷 For many disabled workers in the UK, that’s the reality from this point in the year. #DisabilityPayGapDay #EqualPay #LearningDisability #DisabilityRights Figures come from Trades Union Congress (TUC)
A purple graphic with two calendars on it, that say November and December are unpaid. The white text says 'From today until 31 December, disabled workers will be working for free.' A purple graphic with pound coins stacked in descending order. The white text says 'What would you do with £4,000? That's what the average disabled worker misses out on each because of the disability pay gap.'
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 10/11/2025
4/4 “We welcome this review and hope it leads to real change, more job opportunities for thousands of people with a learning disability who are ready and willing to work.” 👉 Read the full article here: brnw.ch/21wXm4n
brnw.ch
Inquiry to review rising levels of youth inactivity
Former Labour Health Secretary Alan Milburn will lead the investigation, with conclusions set to be published next summer.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 10/11/2025
3/4 @jonsparkes.bsky.social OBE, Mencap Chief Executive, said: “We know that 86% of people with a learning disability who aren't in work want a paid job, but too many are being held back by a lack of support, opportunities and understanding.”
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 10/11/2025
2/4 The government has launched a new review, led by Alan Milburn, to understand the reasons behind this and look at how to get young people into work.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 10/11/2025
1/4 BBC News reports that nearly 1 in 8 young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEET) with more young people claiming health and disability benefits than ever before.
A blurred photo of the Job Centre Plus green sign. There is a BBC News red logo and white text that says 'Inquiry to review rise in young people not working or studying.'
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 06/11/2025
5/5 Our Mencap Manifesto called on the Government to protect access to in person banking and improve inclusive customer support. This strategy is a good first step towards supporting people with a learning disability across the UK to make financial choices safely and with appropriate support.
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Mencap @mencap.org.uk · 06/11/2025
4/5 We’re pleased to see the Government recognising these challenges and the work of Project Nemo in reducing financial exclusion."
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