About Mencap Sport
We have been funded by Sport England to support people who have a learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. , and the communities in which they live, to be physically active, happy and healthy. This work is taking place until the end of March 2027.
We will do this by:
- Supporting 9 communities to become active places which are inclusive of people who have a learning disability - Our Active Community A community is the people and places in an area. .
- Inspiring a wider movement for change across the sector – Mencap Active Community.
Our Active Community is a Mencap project that partners with local people and organisations Organisations are groups like companies and businesses. who want to make their community a better place for people with a learning disability to be physically active, happy and healthy.
The project is funded by Sport England and it is taking place now and running until the end of March 2027.
Mencap has employed a Community Partner in each community. Their job is to get to know the community, bring the community together and let local people and organisations lead on the activities and solutions that they think will make their area a more active place.
People with a learning disability from the community will use their lived experience Experience is when you have learned or tried something before. to help make decisions at community forums, funding panels and other events. At least one Community Connector with lived experience is also employed in a paid role in each community.
Our Active Community is taking place in 9 communities across England.
The contact details for the Community Partner in each area are:
- Bradford and District Community Partner: Alex Craddock
Telephone: 07929 669287
Email [email protected]
- Derby Community Partner: Mat Richardson
Telephone: 07815 649255
Email [email protected]
- Ealing Community Partner: Kaylee Robinson
Telephone: 07929 660266
Email [email protected]
- Greenwich Community Partner: Kaylee Robinson
Telephone: 07929 660266
Email [email protected]
- Nottingham Community Partner: Mat Richardson
Telephone: 07815 649255
Email [email protected]
- St Austell and the Clays Community Partner: Chris Ballett
Telephone: 07970 965470
Email [email protected]
- St Helens Community Partner: Alex Craddock
Telephone: 07929 669287
Email [email protected]
- Thanet Community Partner: Laura Appleton
Telephone: 07484 019675
Email [email protected]
- Worthing Community Partner: Laura Appleton
Telephone: 07484 019675
Email [email protected]
Our vision is to create a nationwide network of groups and individuals who are committed to enhancing opportunities for people with a learning disability to be active and healthy in their communities.
Until the end of March 2027, Mencap Active Community is working to achieve a number of aims:
- Supporting people with a learning disability to understand how to access local support opportunities to get active and healthy
- Work with organisations so that they have a better understanding of how to support people with a learning disability within their setting
- Develop stronger connections and an inclusive mindset so that more people with a learning disability can be healthy and active in their communities.
To support these goals, Mencap Active Community has its own dedicated web portal, sends out regular newsletters and communications, delivers awareness workshops and conferences, and runs a number of online sessions including webinars and listening circles.
Mencap Active Communty will take place all over England, and will not have a focus on any one specific area.
If you would like more information about Mencap Active Community, please contact:
- Jon Stonebridge (email [email protected])
We work together with Sport England, our Mencap groups, services and external organisations to develop sport and physical activity opportunities within local communities.
Through our Learning Disability and Sport workshop we work to make mainstream environments inclusive.
Our activities and events
Research and reports
SPEAR has been commissioned to research Research is a way of finding out information which could come from books, or asking people what they think. and evaluate Our Active Community and Mencap Active Community from September 2023 to March 2027.
The interim report summarises the research from March 2025 to February 2026 and outlines remaining work.
Let's Get Active: Easy Read guides
The Mencap Active Community
Mencap Active Community is a nationwide network of groups and individuals who provide opportunities and resources for people with a learning disability to be active and healthy in their communities.
If you're part of an organisation that would like to join or like more information please get in touch.
For more information about Mencap sports email: [email protected].