About the Mencap Voices Council

A group of people with learning disabilities

We are a group of 12 people with a learning disability . There is also a Chair and a Vice Chair who lead the group.

A group of people around a meeting table

We share our views and experiences to help Mencap’s Board of Trustees make decisions.

A man at a table with his back to the camera, talking to other people at a meeting who are sitting at an opposite desk.

We meet 4 times a year in person and we also have regular, online meetings in between our in person meetings.

A group of people with learning disabilities cheering under a sign which says Mencap campaigns

What we do

We are always interested in any campaign work that Mencap is doing.

A rights supporter

As a group we believe strongly about the rights of people with a learning disability.

We think about the barriers people with a learning disability face in all our work.

A group of people at a meeting desk with a flip chart beside the desk

We think ahead for the year and work alongside the Trustee’s and their agenda ’s.

A woman in front of a table where people are meeting with one hand raised and the other pointing at herself

We have our own priorities as well, and aim to have an equal balance between our work and the organisations 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."

Head and shoulders photograph of Karen

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 ."

Head and shoulders photograph of Jack

AISHA

"I enjoy being around people and I work with the Lewisham ‘Speaking Up’ group."

A head and shoulders photograph of Aisha

SAM

"I’m involved with my local Mencap group and I enjoy what I do at Mencap."

A head and shoulders photograph of Sam

JOHN

"I am passionate about making a difference to people's lives, who have learning difficulties, mental health issues and Autism ."

A head and shoulders photograph of John

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."

Head and shoulders picture of Barbara

PAUL

"I like that I am able to talk about learning disabilities in all the meetings I go to. I love my independence and I have a lot of hobbies too."

Head and shoulders picture of Paul

 Khaleel Desai Mencap Director, Governance

The Voices Council works with the Executive Team in a different way from how they work with Mencap’s Board of Trustees through the questions they ask us."

-  Khaleel Desai Mencap Director, Governance

A photograph of the Chair, Vice Chair and Chair of Trustees

What we talk about

Strategy 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.

The Our Big Plan logo

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.

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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.

Email the Voices Council