Richard Lawrence
My name is Richard Lawrence, I have worked for Mencap for 18 years. My job title is Lived Experience Experience is when you have learned or tried something before. Advisor. I’m co-chair of the RING group, this stands for Race Inclusion Network Group. I’m a wellbeing champion and mental health first aider. In my job as lived experience Experience is when you have learned or tried something before. advisor, I am part of a group called the Community A community is the people and places in an area. Support Group (CSG).
As a CSG member we talk about life in the community for people with
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.
, making things
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.
and making things better for people with learning disability. We go to different network partners and groups in the community to find out more about what they do. In the CSG we also make podcasts where we
interview
An interview is a meeting where you talk to someone or a group of people about something. When you have an interview for a job, you have to answer questions and say why you would be good at the job. The person who gives the best answers is offered the job.
people with a learning disability, we ask them about what they do for their job or things they like to do in their community.
What is Black History Month?
As a Black person, it is about celebration, freedom, positivity, speaking your mind and being equal. To me it isn’t just about celebrating just with black people but about celebrating with all types of people and sharing information. During the month, I like to spend more time celebrating my culture and music. I make Tik Tok videos celebrating black history. It is important to me.
I used to have a teaching assistant called Judy, I really looked up to her. She was a kind, supportive woman. She helped me through difficult times at school. She treated me kindly, she didn’t judge me and was a wonderful lady. She recognised my needs and wanted to help me even if I showed some behavioural problems. She is someone I bonded with. She spoke up for me to the headteacher when I was having a difficult time, she stood by me. To this day, I want to honour her legacy.
This month I would like to honour Rosa Parks because during her time, black people were treated badly and made to sit at the back of the bus. She said no, she stood her ground. People tried to make her move and she said no. She refused to move. Even though she was arrested, she made a big difference and encouraged people to view black people as equals. Thinking of her makes me feel proud, hearing her story reminds me of strong black female role models. She is an amazing woman doing what she did.
I used to feel like I couldn’t speak up, I found it difficult. I wanted to be included in what people were doing or talking about, but I felt left out. I was worried people judged my speech impediment. Ever since I have worked at Mencap, I am more noticeable, I speak up. I can challenge people who use jargon words, Mencap know me as a jargon buster. I try not to be too ruthless with people, but I try to challenge for the right reasons. I have had lots of opportunities to do things and this has given me more confidence. As well as working at Mencap, watching TV shows like Neighbours and characters like Paul Robinson, he was a ruthless person and it showed me I can speak out, but I am only ruthless on jargon!
I want people to understand, black people are not bad. I don’t want people to judge black people. As a black person, I am a kind and gentle person. Everyone has a good and bad side, it doesn’t matter your race. I don’t want to be judged or stereotyped. To me, it is important that people understand not to just focus on the negative, but focus on the positive sides of what black people are doing. This month we should celebrate and focus on the positive.
A black person with a learning disability should be themselves. Even though you have a learning disability, don’t be ashamed of who you are. Speak up. If you need help it is okay to ask for help. Don’t pretend to be someone you are not, be an original not a copy.
Christopher Reid
Lorraine Robinson