About the Mencap Voices Council
We are a group of 12 people with a learning disability. There is also a Chair and a Vice Chair who lead the group.
We share our views and experiences to help Mencap’s Board of Trustees make decisions.
We meet 4 times a year in person and we also have regular, online meetings in between our in person meetings.
What we do
We are always interested in any
campaign
A campaign is when people work together to try to change something.
work that Mencap is doing.
As a group we believe strongly about the
rights
Rights are the things everyone should be allowed to do like have a say, or go to school.
of people with a learning disability.
We think about the barriers people with a learning disability face in all our work.
We think ahead for the year and work alongside the Trustee’s and their
agenda
An agenda is a list of things to talk about at a meeting.
’s.
We have our own priorities as well, and aim to have an equal balance between our work and the
organisations
Organisations are groups like companies and businesses.
work.
Meet the Voices Council
KAREN
"I work on the ‘Treat Me Well’ steering group. I’m also on the Learning Disability partnership board for North Lincolnshire."
JACK
"I am passionate about having the voices of experts by experience at the centre of all decision-making, as we do in the Voices Council."
AISHA
"I enjoy being around people and I work with the Lewisham ‘Speaking Up’ group."
SAM
"I’m
involved
Involved is being included in something or taking part in something.
with my local Mencap group and I enjoy what I do at Mencap."
JOHN
"I am passionate about making a difference to people's lives, who have learning difficulties, mental health issues and
Autism
Autism is a disability. Autistic people find it difficult to understand what other people think and feel. They also find it difficult to tell people what they think and feel. Everyone with autism is different.
."
BARBARA
"It is important for me to be a part of the Voices Council where I can openly express my opinions and that I can support Mencap."
PAUL
"I like that I am able to talk about learning disabilities in all the meetings I go to. I love my
independence
Independence means doing things on your own. Making your own choices.
and I have a lot of hobbies too."
What we talk about
Strategy
A strategy is a plan to show what an organisation, or a person, wants to do and how they are going to do it.
and ways of working are often talked about in our meetings and we let the Trustee’s and Executive Team know what we think.
Mencap’s Big plan; for the UK to be the best place for people with a learning disability, is always part of our work.
What is Mencap's Big Plan?
At it's heart, Mencap's Big Plan has a commitment to listening to and being led by people with a learning disability form all communities.
"By attending a Voices Council meeting you witness inclusive debate, diverse topics and challenging contributions.
The conclusions shared by the chair and vice chair ensures a strong learning disability led focus to Mencap’s governance."
- Lucy Edge (Trustee)
Hear from the Voices Council
The Voices council are passionate about inclusivity.
Watch this video to find out why they like to take part.
Any questions?
If you have a question, or would like to share your views of what you think the Voices Council should be doing, please email us.