By Mencap
Mencap has been awarded a £500,000 grant from the Aviva Foundation.
There are 1.5 million people in the UK with 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 too many face barriers when it comes to understanding money – from complicated banking systems to a lack of
accessible
Accessible means something is easy for people to use or join in with. For example: Accessible writing means the writing is easy to read and understand.
information. But thanks to support from the Aviva Foundation, we’re going to change that.
With the support of the Aviva Foundation and in partnership with
financial
Financial means anything that is to do with money. It is used to describe how people, businesses, or governments get money and how they use it
inclusion experts at Dosh
Financial
Financial means anything that is to do with money. It is used to describe how people, businesses, or governments get money and how they use it
Advocacy
Advocacy is when you get support to have your say.
, we’re launching a new financial
education
Education is when you learn things. When you fill in a form to get a job, education means you write where you went to school, college or university.
programme for people with a learning disability.
Through this programme, people with a learning disability will feel more confident managing money and gain the skills they need to navigate financial issues. Families and support networks will also feel more confident supporting financial decisions, and better understand what reasonable adjustments they can ask for to ensure inclusive and informed financial choices.
People with a learning disability deserve to feel confident about money. Whether it’s budgeting for the weekly shop, understanding a bank statement, or saving up for something special – this programme is all about giving people with a learning disability
knowledge
Knowledge is knowing a lot about something.
and tools to take control of their
finances
Finances are anything to do with money.
.
It’s also about understanding entitlements – knowing what financial support they’re eligible for, and being protected from scams and online fraud, so they can manage their money safely and with confidence.
What’s the programme all about?
Over the next two years, we’ll be working hard to improve the financial confidence, understanding and
independence
Independence means doing things on your own. Making your own choices.
of people with a learning disability.
Here’s what’s coming:
- Co-designed training for people who have lived experience Experience is when you have learned or tried something before. .
- Workshops for Mencap staff, people with a learning disability and partner organisations Organisations are groups like companies and businesses. .
- Accessible resources like Easy Read Easy Read is a way of making written information easier to understand. Pictures are usually added next to the writing. guides, toolkits and more.
- A national rollout that aims to reach thousands of people across the UK.
Lasting impact
We’re building something that goes far beyond just educational workshops. This programme is about creating long-lasting tools and resources that can be used again and again by organisations supporting people with a learning disability, because financial education shouldn’t be a one-off. It should be accessible, empowering and lifelong. Over the next two years, we’ll be sharing stories, tips, resources and updates as the programme grows and reaches more people across the UK.
We’re incredibly thankful and proud to be working with the Aviva Foundation, so that we can have a lasting impact for thousands of people with a learning disability – and we can’t wait to get started.
Ciara Lawrence, Mencap’s Engagement Lead, tells us why financial education and inclusion is so important
“It is important that people with a learning disability like me have access to their own money and a bank account with the right support for them, just like anyone else. Banking and finances should be made accessible for people with a learning disability by making information easy to understand.”
Alex Christopoulos, Aviva Foundation Lead, explains why they are passionate about partnering with Mencap
“At the Aviva Foundation, we’re passionate about tackling the barriers that prevent people from looking forward to their financial futures with confidence. Everyone should have the opportunity to feel in control of their money matters – and we’re proud to stand alongside Mencap to help try to make that a reality for people with a learning disability. This programme is about lasting change, co-created with those who truly understand what makes a difference.”
Jon Sparkes OBE