Mencap's outdoor exhibition brings learning disability to More London

Monday 15 December 2008

A large-scale, outdoors exhibition on the banks of the River Thames,
organised by learning disability charity, Mencap, aims to increase understanding and challenge people's preconceptions of learning disability.

‘This is me' is an exhibition displaying a selection of winning photographs and stories from Mencap's annual competition called Snap!. The collection offers a unique and moving insight into the lives of people with a learning disability. ‘This is me' will be at More London by Tower Bridge, from 17 December 2008 until 8 January 2009, and will then go on tour around the UK.

Every picture in Mencap's ‘This is me' exhibition has been taken by, or features, someone with a learning disability, showcasing the talent and creativity of people with a learning disability.

Since its launch in 2003, Mencap's Snap! competition has attracted high profile judges, including David Bailey and Rankin, the iconic fashion and celebrity photographers; Alex Proud, founder of Proud Galleries in London; and Eamonn McCabe, former picture editor of the Guardian.

Mark Goldring, chief executive of Mencap, comments: "There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK, but a staggering 73% of people in the UK do not know what a learning disability is.

"People with a learning disability have aspirations and dreams just like anyone else, but face the greatest barriers to achieving them. This exhibition aims to increase awareness and understanding of learning disability, as told by those closest to it."

Leroy Binns, whose winning photo is included in the exhibition, comments: "It is a real achievement for me, as not many people with a learning disability have the opportunity to show what they can do. It is good for my picture to be seen by lots of people, as people with a learning disability deserve to be part of the community like anyone else."

Mencap is the voice of learning disability.

The charity works with people with a learning disability to change laws and services, challenge prejudice and directly supports thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.

‘This is me'
is supported by More London Estate Management, The Sorrell Foundation, Marketing Birmingham and Cityco.

For more information on Mencap visit www.mencap.org.uk.

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Notes to editors

For more information or jpegs of the photos featured in Mencap's ‘This is me' exhibition, contact Tara Rayment, Mencap press office, 020 7696 6937, tara.rayment@mencap.org.uk

Exhibition details:

The exhibition is comprised of images and stories displayed on 2 metre cubes at Queen's Walk, More London by Tower Bridge and will be running from 17 December until 8 January 2009. The exhibition is free and nearest tube is London Bridge. The exhibition will be next to the ‘The Scoop' - map link: http://www.morelondon.com/master2.html

Snap! competition

Snap! is Mencap's annual photo and story competition now in its seventh year. It offers a unique insight into what it is like to have a learning disability through the eyes of those closest to it. The 2009 competition is now open for entries - and this year, for the first time, you can also enter short films to Snap! visit www.mencap.org.uk/snap

Mencap

• Mencap works with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
• 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability.
• A learning disability is caused by the way the brain develops before, during or shortly after birth. It is always lifelong.
• Learning disability affects someone's intellectual and social development all their life. People with a learning disability find it harder than others to learn, understand and communicate.
• People with a learning disability don't get an equal chance in life. Mencap fights to change laws and services and to provide better access to education, employment and leisure facilities, supporting thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.
• It is not a mental illness and should not be confused with mental health issues. It is not dyslexia or aspergers syndrome.
• It used to be called mental handicap but we don't use this term anymore because most people with a learning disability find it offensive.
• For information about learning disability issues please call the Learning Disability Helpline (England) on 0808 808 1111 or visit www.askmencap.info
• For online press information, go to www.mencap.org.uk/press
• 73% of people in the UK cannot give an accurate example of a learning disability - statistic from a survey by Mencap in April 2008.