Mencap

@mencap.org.uk

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

Jackie O’Sullivan, Mencap’s Director of Strategy and Influence, is speaking at the Homes Not Hospitals conference in front of a purple exhibition wall the inappropriate detention of people with a learning disability and autistic people in mental health hospitals. Jackie is wearing a black blazer over a bright yellow floral dress with orange and pink flowers. She has red framed glasses, silver jewellery and a purple conference lanyard.
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.
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.
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'
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'
A purple and green graphic with white text on it that says '3 Benefits of being on the learning disability register. Swipe for more.'
Ciara is sat on a chair in front of a wooden wall. She speaks about the importance of being on the learning disability register.
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.'
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 group of people with placards sat outside downing street.
Annabell is seen talking to the camera about her health journey and her experience of being dismissed because she has a learning disability. There are clips of Annabell doing everyday tasks around her house, like making a cup of tea.
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 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.'
A blurred photo of a bank in London with a blue skyline. There is white text on the graphic that says 'The Government has announced the National Financial Inclusion plan, which highlights the need for better inclusive and accessible customer support from banks, so they can support people with a learning disability'
A photo of Charlie Mayfield who wears glasses and smiles. He's in front of a blue background. There is white text over the image that says 'Today, the government published the Keep Britain Working review on how to support more disabled people into employment.'
William looks towards the camera as he sits in a chair. He talks about the new online safety act to protect people from harmful content.
A pink graphic and a photo of Abi running in a pink Mencap vest. Abi has brown sunglasses on and puts her thumbs up in the air. The white text says "“I ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon for Mencap. I did this as a thank you to Mencap, who supported my family when my nephew Henry was born with Down Syndrome.” - Abi."
Elly and Olivia walk their dogs in a woodland area, as they explain why they are taking on the One Big Walk for Mencap this September.
A pink graphic with a photo of Ellie Goldstein wearing a gold sequin dress, with her fingers near her eyes posing for the camera. The pink text says '#GoEllie'.
A pink graphic with a photo of Liam who has brown short hair a blue checked shirt on. The pink and white text says "Liam's story. The railway staff are not selling tickets, they are getting people to buy from their machines. When I'm at the station I see a lot of people with a learning disability, struggling with machines."
A photo of a platform at the London Bridge underground, with a red circle on the wall, with the writing "London Bridge" for the name of the station. There is a pink text box, with white text that says "The tube strikes make me feel anxious because I don't know what to do. - Vijay"
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"
Rahima speaks to ITV News about her experience with healthcare as a person with a learning disability and cerebral palsy.
Image of a distressed person holding their head in their hands. The background is purple, and text reads: "People with a learning disability are dying nearly 20 years younger than others.
Pink and purple graphic with the Mencap logo. The text reads: “Ask the experts ??? Wills & Trusts. September 1–6 on Mencap’s Online Community.”
A large group of people smiling and standing together in a hall with large windows. Some hold thank-you certificates.
Minister Stephen Timms stands outside at Yusen Logistics in Northampton wearing a bright yellow safety vest, alongside Jimmy, a Mencap supported intern placed through the Mencap Training Academy. They are smiling and there is a communication mast visible in the background."
Close up of a folded newspaper stack with the Office for National Statistics logo and white text reading: “ONS figures reveal Disability Employment Gap Remains Huge for Disabled People 12 August 2025.” The Mencap “me” speech bubble logo appears in the top right corner.
Jack is wearing an Arsenal football shirt, smiling, with a blurred stadium in the background. Above him on a purple background is a quote “I just think football is one of the best things you can do for your mental health, for exercise, to meet new people. If you can do it, do it.” The pink Mencap "me" logo is in the bottom right corner.
Mencap Campaigner Aaron Plummer and Alexander Dragonetti training for The Great North Run
Harry looks towards the camera against a blank wall. He explains what the LeDeR report is and why it is so important the government release it.
A purple background with white icon of hands reaching out to each other. The white text reads, 'Tina supported a person with a learning disability migrate to Universal Credit, from legacy benefits and to claim free dental treatment.'
A photo of Brendan sat in a wheelchair holding a megaphone and speaking into it. The black text says '3 things we wish people understood this Disability Pride Month.'
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'
Three women at the London Marathon running show looking towards the camera explaining why they think people should run the marathon.
ITV clips of an interview with Josh and his family. They are seen outside riding their bikes in a park and Josh's parents are sat on a wooden bench. They speak to Peter Smith who is an ITV journalist about their experience of Josh being locked away.
An image of a woman with pink hair holding up a sign at a protest, blurred. In a dark purple text box, in white text reads: MPs Vote on the third reading of The Universal Credit and PIP bill. Above the text box is the Daily Mirror logo.
Gina and Tom speak towards the camera as they explain the impact of what the Covid 19 pandemic had on them.
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'
A cream background with black text that reads, 'Tina supported a parent of person with a learning disability to claim Universal Credit and supported with the application.'
A purple graphic with cream lock icons. The white text says 'There’s another gap. It doesn’t mention ending the inappropriate detention of people with a learning disability and autistic people in mental health hospitals. We need a plan for the right support in the community so that people can leave hospital and receive the right care. There are currently 2,030 people with a learning disability and/or autistic people in mental health hospitals.'
A purple and turquoise graphic with white text that says, 'The government have just unveiled their new 10 year plan for the NHS. Here’s what was found.'
A white text box in black text that reads: Starmer outlines plan to shift NHS care from hospitals to new health centres' underneath in smaller black text reads: Prime minister unveils 10 year health plan to put care on people's doorsteps and prevent illness in first place'. Underneath is a photo inside a hospital and above the white box is The Guardian logo.
Ellie looks towards to camera as she talks about her new role as Nancy in the show Malory Towers. There are clips from the show, where Ellie is seen in school uniform at an all girls boarding school.
Video of Mencap’s Chief Executive Officer, Jon Sparkes, responding to the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill
Video of the Speaker reading the vote for the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill
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.'
A blurred photo of Keir Starmer looking off into the distance. There is a pink text box with white text that says, 'Starmer finally backs down on disability benefits cuts but are the concessions enough?'
A rainbow background with a purple square on top. There is a photo of Sas with a purple jumper and a rainbow coloured scarf. The white text says "I'm proud of my learning disability and sexuality. People should be able to love whoever they want to love - Sas."
Ellie Goldstein sits at the Loose women table with the women who present the show. It is in a studio with a live audience. Ellie talks to the presenters with her mum Yvonne about her journey to becoming a model.
Jen Craft is speaking towards the camera in front of a green screen, she is speaking on BBC Politics Live about the benefits bill.
Richard looks towards the camera as he explains that we have received some hateful comments this learning disability week. Some of the comments flash up on the screen but the words are blocked out.
At the top of the image there is a bold pink banner that reads: "Do You See Me?" written in white and pink text. Below, in black text, reads: "Bereaved parents praise 'milestone' NHS guidance". Underneath that in slightly smaller black text, reads: "Government publishes the new Oliver McGowan Code of Practice." Under that is a photo against a cream background of Oliver McGowan smiling. The overall design has a purple border.
A female nurse wears blue scrubs and talks towards the camera about her role at the hospital to help people with a learning disability.
A purple background with a photo of Liz Kendall and Evan Davis on the radio show. As each person speaks, their photo shows up.
A photo of two people on a pier at the seaside looking into the distance. The pink text box has white text that says 'Spend a day in our life, PM, says Mum whose disabled daughter may lose PIP benefits.' with a logo of the Mirror magazine in a red square.
Members of Islington Me Time and Jackie O'Sullivan tell BBC Morning Live about the barriers to employment that people with  a learning disability face.
Members of Islington Me Time and Jackie O'Sullivan tell BBC Morning Live about the barriers to employment that people with  a learning disability face.
Video description: Clips of learners in a café in aprons, they are making sandwiches and lattes.