Learning Disability Week 2011

Learning Disability Week is in full swing – there are events across the country and a huge amount of publicity about 'Stand by me'!

You might have seen Mark Goldring, Mencap's Chief Executive, on BBC breakfast on Monday. He was joined by Neil who has experienced hate crime and is in the case study booket. Neil will be in a video talking about his experiences of hate crime which will be put online in the next couple of days so keep a look out for it on the 'Stand by me' pages of the website.

Sky News also ran a feature on 'Stand by me' with Mark Goldring. Di Lofthouse is also in the report. She has been awarded an MBE for all the work she has done to tell people about hate crime against people with a learning disability. You can see the clip here.

Mencap staff around the country have made appearances on lots of local radio stations, perhaps you have managed to listen in?

As well as all the media work that has been going on there have been events where police services have been signing the Police Promise. These have been very successful and while I am writing this 8 police services have signed up – a fantastic result for just 3 days into the campaign!

You can see the events by going to our events page and clicking on your local area. If you know of any more events please tell us about them, we always want to know all the brilliant things going on around England and Northern Ireland!

Thank you very much for supporting 'Stand by me'. You are making a real difference to the lives of people with a learning disability across the country. Don't forget to ask your police force to sign up to the Police Promise so we can make sure everyone with a learning disability is treated well and with respect when they report a hate crime to the police.