05/09/2025
A message from our Director for Northern Ireland, Grainne Close:
First Why What We Do at Mencap Matters
Over 30 years ago, I worked in a residential care setting for adults with learning disabilities. I still remember the excitement when we were finally allowed to go shopping for clothes for the "residents". Until then, they spent their days in dressing gowns and pyjamas. It was an all-male unit, and we bought identical outfits for everyone. I cringe thinking about it now—but at the time, it felt like progress.
Today, we know better. And thanks to the work we do at Mencap, we do better.
But the recent LeDeR report reminds us that people with learning disabilities still face:
❌ Health inequalities
❌ Discrimination in accessing care
❌ Delays in receiving the right support
These barriers are costing lives—on average, 19.5 years earlier than the general population. And 46% of these deaths are avoidable.
That’s why every single one of us at Mencap plays a vital role in changing this reality.
Whether you're supporting someone to attend a health appointment, advocating for accessible information, delivering programmes like Healthier Me, or simply listening and empowering choice—we are part of the solution.
We can:
✅ Champion self-determination
✅ Challenge systemic barriers
✅ Push for policy change that shifts from medicalising disability to promoting equality
✅ Hold government accountable for their obligations
Let’s keep making change. And let’s never underestimate the power of what we do—because it matters. Every day. For every person.
