1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability

We want a world where all people are listened to, valued and included, and not discriminated against because of their learning disability .

Our challenge, alongside people with a learning disability and their families, is to make this world a reality.

But right now, people with a learning disability face inequalities in every area of life.

  • Education - the proportion of permanent exclusions in England accounted for by pupils with SEN was 45% in 2017-18
  • Loneliness - Research suggests that 1 in 3 young people with a learning disability spend less than 1 hour outside their home on a typical Saturday
  • Employment - only 5.9% of adults with a learning disability known to their local authority in England were in paid employment in 2018/19
  • Healthcare - 1,200 people with a learning disability die needlessly every year in NHS care
Group of people sat together in park chatting

How do we tackle these inequalities?

We work with governments and organisations to change policies and we campaign alongside thousands of people with a learning disability and their friends and families for the changes we want to see in society. We fund vital research and we lead the way with our innovative services, empowering people to make life choices and have their say on the things that matter in their lives.

Learn more about what we do

We put people first - always

Support workers have a massive impact on the lives of the people they support. 

Through our services we want to make a difference to the lives of people with a learning disability here and now.

That means listening to them, understanding what they like, and supporting them to make decisions and achieve the things they want to achieve.

See what this looks like in practice

Watch Robyn's story and see how we're putting the people we support - and their life choices - front and centre.

When Martin discovered that Robyn liked going on bike rides, he fundraised to get a special bike that they could ride together.

Martin literally went the extra mile for Robyn, and they've travelled many miles on that bike since! 

Our support workers up and down the country do amazing things like this every day. And it's people like this who, alongside people with a learning disability, are changing the world we know.

The right support can literally change someone's life

Watch Sufi's story - the right support from employers transformed Sufi's life and enabled him to shine in his job, and provide for his children's future.

"I would like to get more days in work, more hours in work. And the reason is to support my family financially, and for my children's education ."

It's amazing what we can achieve with the right support.

 

Be part of the change

Whether you write to your MP, join #TeamMencap for one of our events, become one of our volunteer Sidekicks, or donate, you too are part of the movement.

With your support, we're moving towards the world we want - where all people are listened to, valued and included.

Young men sat at table outside laughing

Donate to Mencap

There are currently 351,000 children (aged 0-17) with a learning disability in the UK. Without the right support from the start, many of these children will face an extremely challenging future.

By donating to Mencap you will directly be helping people with a learning disability develop skills and gain confidence to live a fulfilling and active life.

Donate now

Three ways you can help right now