Wasn't #Ellie wonderful in #Strictly. First contestant with a #LearningDisability

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

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

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.

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. 👇

@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📻👇

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

bit.ly/FFOAction

Such devastating news about the earthquake in Afghanistan. Relief and shelter needed urgently from @ukforunhcr.bsky.social, @unhcr.org

donate.unrefugees.org.uk/afghanistan-...

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...

Concerned about the review of #SEND? Invite your MP to the @dcpcampaign.bsky.social and @letuslearntoo.bsky.social event

#FightForOrdinary is about legally-guaranteed support for children with additional needs. That really should not be too much to ask for

secure.mencap.org.uk/en-gb/invite...

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?

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

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...

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...

#BeTheYes

youtu.be/aKEEifV0ZPs?...

Great news, @mencap.org.uk Ambassador and Myth Buster Ellie Goldstein confirmed for Strictly!

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...

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.

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

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

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.

📣 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.

@mencap.org.uk CEO @jonsparkes.bsky.social discusses his first year leading the charity, services closing as costs rise and inclusion of people with learning disabilities

I look forward to @mencap.org.uk contributing, alongside Disabled People's Organisations and disability charities to the Government's work to address these barriers and needs.