By Mencap
On Tuesday 16 June 2026, Westminster politics was swapped for football boots as parliamentarians joined Mencap's football team for a friendly but fiercely contested match.
Celebration of inclusion
The event, organised by Mencap and the UK Parliamentary Football Club, was more than just a game. It was a powerful celebration of inclusion, connection, and the message at the heart of this year's 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. Week theme: "Do You See Me?"
While the MPs and Peers team secured a 5-2 victory, the real success of the day wasn't measured on the scoreboard.
Instead, it was found in the laughter, conversations, teamwork, and new connections formed between decision-makers and people with a learning disability.
Mencap's team featured people with a learning disability who work for the charity, fellow staff members, and participants from Mencap's Islington Me Time Project — a community A community is the people and places in an area. -led programme that helps people build confidence, form friendships, and thrive in their local communities.
Together, they demonstrated how sport can create shared experiences that break down barriers and foster understanding.
Mencap football team captain and Campaigns Assistant Vijay Patel summed it up perfectly:
Although we lost the game, the most important thing is we had fun out there and everyone was together. The politicians were really supportive and really fair, and it was special to play them on this sunny morning during Learning Disability Week.
It's not every day you get to meet and talk to people who make decisions that impact people with a learning disability. This week, during Learning Disability Week, those MPs and Lords were able to come and hear from people with a learning disability and learn more about what someone like me can do.
The match proved to be a challenging encounter for both sides
Al Carns MP,
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament (MP) is a person who speaks up about what people in their area need. People in each area choose their MP by voting for them.
for Birmingham Selly Oak, praised the quality of the opposition:
"The Mencap team have got some amazing players, so it's been really good fun and a good challenge."
Chris Bloore MP, Member of Parliament for Redditch, described the game as:
A really competitive end-to-end game. Both goalkeepers had to work really hard.
And Justin Madders MP, Member of Parliament for Ellesmere Port and Bromborough, highlighted the positive impact of sport:
"Sport is such a good way for everyone to get involved Involved is being included in something or taking part in something. and it looked like everyone had a really good time."
This year's Learning Disability Week campaign focuses on ensuring the UK's 1.5 million people with a learning disability are seen, heard, valued, and included.
Reflecting on the event, Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive of Mencap, said:
It was wonderful to see MPs and people with a learning disability come together on the pitch during Learning Disability Week. The match stands as a clear example of what can be achieved when the learning disability community and decision-makers come together, breaking down barriers, building understanding, and ensuring that people with a learning disability are seen, heard and valued.
More Learning Disability Week news
Thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund for their generous grant, funding this work.