It’s been 6 years in the making, it’s time for a change in the leadership of the Voices Council . We are pleased to announce that John Phillips MBE, former Trustee of Mencap, and current member of the Voices Council, has been elected as the new Chair starting this April.

John is standing in front of a white wall indoors. He has rectangular glasses and is wearing a green sweatshirt

John Phillips MBE

He will be supported by Karen Gray, as the newly elected Vice-Chair of the Voices Council. Karen has been really involved in Mencap’s campaigning work and is part of the Treat Me Well steering group.

The Voices Council’s role is to share their views and experiences to help Mencap’s Board of Trustees make decisions. They also play an important role in making recommendations on what direction they believe Mencap might take. As a group we believe strongly about the rights of people with a learning disability.

Mencap are hugely grateful to the Jack and Sam for the way they have led the Voices Council as chair and vice-chair.  We are very lucky that both Jack and Sam will be continuing to serve as members of the Voices Council for the rest of their term once John and Karen take over. With a handover process underway, their last day in their role as Chair and Vice Chair will be 31st March 2024.

This is an exciting time for the Voices Council with our new Chief Executive Officer starting this summer. Here are some reflections from our current and incoming Chairs and Vice-Chairs:

 

Jack has choppy dark hair and is wearing a blue shirt with a white dotted pattern. He is standing indoors in front of a light green wall

Jack Welch, current Voices Council Chair, said:

'It's been an enormous honour to have been appointed, and reselected by our members, as the first Chair of Mencap's Voices Council. Over the last 6 years, we have made huge progress in the way we work with the Board of Trustees and Executive Team.

From creating the Inclusion Standards, on supporting Mencap’s colleagues to feel included in the role, to recruiting some of our most senior colleagues in the organisation , we are more widely recognised for our impact across Mencap and beyond. We managed to get through COVID and lockdown, as we moved our work online, and produced our first board paper (in easy read !) on mental health, as a priority issue.  

Our combined lived experience has helped to change the way decision-making is done and I hope we continue that influence as we welcome John and Karen to take the reins. I’m excited to see what will be coming for the group’s future. Thank you to everyone who has given me support and to develop in the role as Chair over the years, especially Sam, who has made a dedicated Vice Chair over the years with me.’

 

Jackie has short dark hair and is wearing a pink top. She is standing outside with large glass windows behind her.

Jackie O’Sullivan, Acting CEO said:

‘I’m delighted to welcome John Phillips as Chair of the Voices Council! He has a wealth of brilliant experience and will be a powerful advocate for people with a learning disability. I’m confident John will continue the great work of the council advising our Board of Trustees and Executive Team.

I’s also like to take this opportunity to recognise and thank departing Chair, Jack Welch, and Vice Chair, Sam Jefferies for their dedication and commitment, leading the way in shaping the council as we know it today. It has become the most powerful voice within Mencap.’

John Phillips MBE, incoming new Voices Council Chair from April, said:

'I am looking forward to leading a group of people who like me are able to have a voice to make important changes. I would like to see Mencap campaigning around the country to benefit the lives of people with a learning disability on a daily basis, as well as campaigning for bigger, wider issues. I am looking forward to working with other Voices Council members to work together to make change.'
 

Sam has short dark hair and a beard and is wearing glasses. He is standing outside with a road behind him, and smiling at the camera.

Sam Jefferies, Voices Council Vice-Chair, said:

‘It has been an absolute blast to been given the opportunity to been appointed and given the chance to serve again as Vice Chair on the Voices Council at Mencap. I was originally a founding member of the Learning disability advisory forum back in 2017 and since that time things have changed from the name of the group to better reflect what we do in our present form.

I'm pleased with how we have come together, and all contributed to different topics, and how we have influenced Mencap's policies. We've helped to guide Mencap in terms of its direction and picking up where things are not right and can be different.

Some of the things I’m most proud about during my time as Vice chair are myself and Jack the Chair being involved in the aways days and being recognised by the board of Trustees. That enables us to have that greater link and working more closely with each other. I am looking forward to the new incoming Chair and Vice Chair that will be taking the helm which will being fresh ideas and prosperity and more exciting things to come.

I want to say a big thank to my co-chair Jack who been an absolute joy to work alongside with and also to everyone else as well.’

 

Carolyn has shoulder length dark hair and is smiling. She is wearing a black jacket over a white top

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, Chair of Royal Mencap Society said:

'On behalf of the whole board, I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to John and Karen as they take up their new roles as Chair and Vice-Chair of Mencap’s Voices Council. The work of the Voices Council is vital and the board finds their contribution invaluable.  I look forward to the continuation of their work.'
 

About the Voices Council

The Voices Council is a group of 12 people with a learning disability. It shares views and experiences to help Mencap’s Board of Trustees make decisions. Like the trustees, they meet 4 times a year in person and have regular online meetings in between our in-person meetings. It was created in 2015, when it was known as the Learning Disability Advisory Forum and became the Voices Council in 2018.

Find out more about the Voices Council here.