"My name is John Youds. I have supported individuals with a learning disabilities for 18 years I have had the privilege of supporting people to live their best lives promoting
independence
Independence means doing things on your own. Making your own choices.
and choice. I feel in my role as a
Community
A community is the people and places in an area.
Support Worker
Support workers
Support workers are people who are paid to give care and support to people who need it.
are people who are paid to give care and support to people who need it.
for Alternative Futures group on the Wirral I make a difference to people's lives, enabling them to access their communities participating in the activities they choose. In my spare time I enjoy travel, keeping fit and horse riding along with training for the 2025 London marathon.
I am running for Mencap as I share their ethos in enabling individuals with learning disabilities to gain opportunities and
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.
, and have the best starts in society.
This will be my first time running the London marathon and I can't think of a better charity to fundraise for, and it's a cause very close to my heart.
My connection to learning disabilities is I work for Alternative Futures group on the Wirral as a Community Support Worker supporting individuals 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.
. I have supported individuals for the past 18 years.
I would encourage anyone interested in running a marathon for the Mencap charity as it's an amazing cause, and you can see how much the fundraising will make a positive difference to so many people. The support I have received from Mencap to help me prepare for the marathon has been second to none.
I have recently had the support of a friend to organise a charity raffle to win two baskets of goodies which Is going really well and has brought a substantial amount to my fundraising for Mencap. I have recently hit the 10 mile running mark in 1 hour 50 minutes."
By Mencap