During Mencap’s 75th anniversary year in 2021, our new five-year strategy, the ‘Big Plan’, was launched. Ultimately, Mencap want the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. So, to make these changes happen, things are changing at Mencap.
Columnist – Ciara Lawrence
Mencap is going to be working in a different way to support people with a learning disability to make some big changes in society.
Mencap’s Big Plan has a commitment to listening to and being led by people with a learning disability from all communities, and making future decisions based on what is important to them. This is great as more people like me will have their voices heard. As part of my role as engagement lead at Mencap, I have been working on our Big Plan with colleagues with a learning disability and those that are supported by Mencap to help guide the organisation’s work over the next few years. I’ve helped to set up working groups internally with people with a learning disability to steer the way we work by listening to their thoughts and views around our future.
When I started working at Mencap 21 years ago, things were so different. So much has changed in a good way, for example we now employ more people with a learning disability, and I can’t wait to see how Mencap changes over the next four years. I am really excited about where Mencap is headed. There is still a lot to do around changing society’s attitudes if we want the UK to be the best place to live if you have a learning disability but with the help of our Big Plan, I believe we will challenge stigmas and enhance knowledge of learning disability to make this happen.
Recently, I’ve been looking back at my life – 30 years ago I left my special needs schools not knowing what my life would look like. I can now look back on the last 22 years and say my life has changed for the better. I’m proud to work for Mencap. I want to celebrate people with a learning disability and what they can achieve, as well as bring attention to the barriers and negative issues we face.
I’ve had really great support from my husband, family and colleagues over the years and it has helped me develop my own voice. Now, I want to give that opportunity to other people with a learning disability.
I want to see positive change for individuals, communities and society. I want to see more people with a learning disability treated equally, have the same rights as everyone else and to realise their hopes and dreams.
To find out more about Mencap’s Big Plan, visit: www.mencap.org.uk/our-big-plan
The 2022 International Day of Charity is 5 September.
To find out more about the work Mencap does and to donate, visit:
www.mencap.org.uk/get-involved/donate-mencap
About Ciara Lawrence
Ciara Lawrence is a well-known learning disability campaigner and a Shaw Trust Power 100 influencer. She has written for The Guardian, The Huffington Post, and The Independent.
Search ‘Ciara’s pink sparkle podcast’ via Google.
There are currently 1.5 million people in the UK living with a learning disability. Mencap is here to help them live life to the fullest: www.mencap.org.uk
