Today (6 March 2026), Historic England unveils a National Blue Plaque to the founder of the 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. charity Mencap, Judy Fryd, at her former home at 8 Westfield Avenue, Harpenden. It was here, at her dining room table, that Fryd founded Mencap, the charity dedicated to supporting people with a learning disability to live their lives to the full.
The plaque will be unveiled by Judy Fryd’s family, including her daughters, granddaughter, and great granddaughter; Linda, Pat, Elly, and Olivia.
The inscription on the plaque reads:
Judy Fryd
1909 – 2000
Campaigner for
children and adults with
learning disabilities
lived and worked
here
Judy Fryd (1909–2000)
Caroline Joyce 'Judy' Fryd, was born in North London in 1909. After leaving school, she worked as a secretary and joined a union, speaking on a soapbox at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park about secretarial work and women in the labour force. Her early
activism
Activism is taking action to make change. Going to a campaign event with others, writing letters and speaking up are all ways to take action.
led her to study economics and political science at Ruskin Hall (now Ruskin College) in Oxford, and it was there that she met fellow student John Fryd. They married in 1936 and later settled in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, where they raised four children.
When her eldest daughter, Felicity, showed signs of developmental delay, Fryd was confronted by a system that offered little hope. In the early 1940s no mainstream school would accept Felicity.
Undeterred, she taught Felicity at home, proving that her daughter could learn to read, write and count. Fryd then began to connect with other parents through the letters pages of The Nursery World magazine, writing under the pseudonym 'Cinderella'. In November 1946 she formed the association that would later become Mencap, which published its first newsletter in April 1947.
Development of Mencap
What began as a loosely knit network run by correspondence from Fryd's home at 8 Westfield Avenue grew rapidly into a national movement. By 1950, the Association had established a formal National
Council
A council is also called a local authority. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
, with Fryd appointed as one of two honorary secretaries.
In the 1950s, the
organisation
An organisation are a group of people who work together.
gave evidence to the Royal Commission on the
Law
Laws are the rules that everyone in the country has to follow. If you don't follow the rules you can get in trouble with the police.
Relating to Mental Illness and Mental Deficiency and put forward suggestions to the Mental Health Bill. These were steps towards the passing of the
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.
Act 1970, which gave all children a legal entitlement to an
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.
.
The charity received royal patronage in 1981 and in 2002, two years after Fryd's death, it officially adopted the name Royal Mencap Society. Today, Mencap remains one of Britain's leading charities for people with a learning disability.
Felicity died from pneumonia in 1993, and Fryd herself died in a nursing home in 2000 at the age of ninety. She was appointed MBE in 1967 and CBE in 1996, and in 2009 was honoured with a commemorative Royal Mail postage stamp. A journalist in The Times once wrote of her: 'there is a great big gulf between feeling and doing, but someone who has bridged the two most successfully is undoubtedly Judy Fryd.'
Uncovering hidden heroines
The unveiling of this national blue plaque to Judy Fryd coincides with Historic England’s partnership with Ancestry, the global leader in family history. Together with Historic England, Ancestry is encouraging people to uncover hidden heroines listed in the 1921 Census of England and Wales.
Featuring in the 1921 census, Judy Fryd’s story is an example of the fantastic contributions of women to society, that can be uncovered and celebrated today. In honour of International Women’s Day, Ancestry is opening up over 400 million records from March 8th-18th, allowing people to explore for free, and discover stories of trailblazing women within their own family trees.
The eight-week public nomination period for the National Blue Plaque Scheme is open in May 2026. The public is invited to submit their own nominations for people they would most like to see recognised through a Historic England national blue plaque at www.historicengland.org.uk
Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, Co-CEOs of Historic England, said: “Judy Fryd created something which has transformed the lives of many, including her daughter’s. She felt so strongly that her daughter deserved better, that she helped to change our country’s laws and set up an organisation which has given a voice to people with a learning disability for over 80 years. This plaque celebrates the impact Fryd has had on society and the lives she has improved through her dedication and determination.”
Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said: “Judy Fryd started her networking and campaigning from home, which is a powerful reminder that ambition and brilliance is driven by determination wherever it is found. Mencap does vital work for many communities up and down the country. It’s fantastic to see this blue plaque serving as a permanent tribute to the founding of this charity on a residential avenue in Harpenden.
“I hope that everyone in Harpenden can take great pride in this Blue Plaque, reflecting on Judy Fryd’s achievements at the heart of their community A community is the people and places in an area. .”
Elly Downes, Judy Fryd’s Granddaughter said: “Judy Fryd was and always will be, first and foremost, my Grandma. To her children, Felicity, Pat, Peter and Linda, she was a devoted mother, and to John Fryd, a loving supportive wife.
“She’s always been one of the most important people in my life and I will always love her to infinity and beyond! We have always had to share her with Mencap and thousands of people with learning disabilities and their families, her other family and lifelong passion, and are honoured to have done so.
“She led an ordinary life in an ordinary semi-detached house in Harpenden, and was very much respected by her neighbours, friends, and the community. But, 80 years ago in 1946, she did something extraordinary from her dining room table – she spent 60 years working tirelessly for people with a learning disability to be given rights Rights are the things everyone should be allowed to do like have a say, or go to school. , recognition, and fairness in a world where differences were never fully embraced.
“This work continues in her name and my family and I are so proud of how far things have come and will continue to support the ongoing work of Mencap in our ever changing world.
“We could not be more delighted that she and her home have been honoured with a Historic England national blue plaque. This is not any old house, but a very special place indeed, full of love and warmth, and history, which we will continue to cherish.”
Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive, Mencap said: “I’m delighted that Historic England has honoured Mencap’s founder, Judy Fryd, with a blue plaque at the home where Mencap began.
“As Mencap marks its 80th anniversary this year, this is a fitting tribute to an incredible person who fundamentally helped change policy, provision and public attitudes – ensuring that generations of people with a learning disability have greater opportunities.
“Judy was a trailblazer whose campaigning transformed life for people with a learning disability and her legacy reminds us not only how far we’ve come, but how many barriers to
equality
Equality is when everyone is treated fairly.
, healthcare and
employment
Employment means having a job.
still sadly remain. Mencap will continue this pioneering work to ensure people with a learning disability are not left behind as services and systems change.
“It is fantastic that Judy’s family continues to support Mencap and together we will not let Judy’s memory or mission fade”
"As the charity reaches its 80th anniversary, it continues the bold work championed by Judy Fryd, as both a leading care provider and campaigning charity, Mencap continues to campaign for the UK’s 1.5 million people with a learning disability to live in their own communities, close to their families.
Heritage Schools resource
Historic England’s Heritage Schools team has produced an education resource about Judy Fryd, which will be available for teachers to download. The resource supports Key Stage 2 teachers and students to explore Fryd’s life and work both locally and nationally, using a range of historical sources. By using local stories and topics, the resource aims to make history feel more real, relevant, and engaging for students. Link.
Funding Acknowledgement
We give special thanks to Ancestry, Delancey Real Estate and The Earls Court Development Company, and The Britford Bridge Trust for their generous support of Historic England’s National Blue Plaque Scheme.
-ENDS-
About Historic England
About Historic England
We are Historic England, the public body that protects and brings life to the heritage that matters to us all, so it lives on and is loved for longer. From the extraordinary to the everyday, our historic places and spaces matter. From community centres to cathedrals, homes to high streets, markets to mills – there are special places we all choose to hold onto, the legacy we want to pass on and the stories we continue to tell. That’s why we work together with people across England to discover, protect Protect means keeping someone or something safe. and bring new life to our shared historic environment, providing advice, knowledge, support and services. Follow us on social media @HistoricEngland.
About the National Blue Plaque Scheme, run by Historic England
Launched in 2023, Historic England's National Blue Plaque Scheme celebrates people throughout history, from all walks of life, who have made significant contributions to human welfare or happiness and/or who have made an exceptional impact in their field, community or on society at large. Historic England runs the National Blue Plaque Scheme on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The public nomination period will open again later in 2026. To be eligible for a National Blue Plaque, candidates must: have been dead for at least 20 years, have made a significant contribution to human welfare or happiness and/or who have made an exceptional impact in their field, community or on society at large, have at least one building associated them that survives in a form the commemorated person would recognise and which is visible from the public highway. We also accept nominations for duos or groups and buildings with wider historical significance. The full criteria can be found here. To find out more, visit the Historic England website.
About the partnership between Historic England and Ancestry
Historic England and Ancestry, the global leader in family history, are together encouraging the public to celebrate influential women of the 20th century. Launched in June 2025, the year-long partnership demonstrates our shared commitment to telling new and unknown stories from women’s history, celebrating pioneers, activists and community leaders who have shaped England’s history. Through the 1921 Census of England and Wales and the National Blue Plaque Scheme, we’re shining a light on the many untold histories of women of the twentieth century.
Donate
The Historic England Foundation is an independent charity that raises funds for outstanding heritage projects. With the support of generous funders and individuals, the Foundation builds on the work of Historic England, the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate the history that surrounds us. The Foundation funds projects that improve people's lives and protect the historic environment, but can't be funded by government alone, from small and innovative pilot schemes to major national interventions. To donate to the Blue Plaques scheme, use this online portal.
About the London blue plaque scheme
London’s famous blue plaques link people of the past with buildings of the present. The London blue plaque scheme was started in 1866 and is thought to be the oldest of its kind in the world. English Heritage has run the London blue plaques scheme since 1986. It has inspired many similar schemes in the UK and around the world.
About Heritage Schools
Historic England’s Heritage Schools programme aims to help school children develop an understanding of their local heritage and its significance. The Heritage Schools resource about Judy Fryd will be available to download here (from March 6 2026). More information on the Heritage Schools programme generally is available here.
About Harpenden Mencap
Harpenden Mencap is an independent charity caring for adults with learning disabilities in Harpenden and the local area. Founded in 1959, the charity provides accommodation-based support to a thriving community of 33 adults and offers wellbeing-focused activities through its Britannia and Allotment Clubs, benefiting over 50 people in total.
The charity’s vision is for Harpenden to be the best place in the world for people with learning disabilities to live happy, healthy lives.
Note to editors
About Mencap
There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK and they deserve to live their life to the full. So Mencap supports people with a learning disability to succeed in the things that matter to them. To ensure that people with a learning disability are not left behind at any stage of their life, we campaign for a fairer society; work with families and partners to build inclusive communities; and we deliver person-centred services. We’ve spent 80 years changing lives. Now, with Mencap 2030, we’re changing the future.
What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability which affects someone for their whole life. Typically, people with a learning disability need more time to learn and process information. They may need extra support to develop skills, complete tasks and interact with others, or they may have more complex needs requiring round-the clock care. The level of support needed is different for everyone and may change during a person’s lifetime.
Learning disability is NOT a mental illness or a learning difficulty. Often, the term ‘learning difficulty’ is wrongly used in place of ‘learning disability’. Having a learning difficulty (such as ADHD or
dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty. People who have dyslexia can find it hard to read, write and spell.
) may mean a person learns at a different pace or in a different way BUT – unlike a learning disability - it does not affect a person’s intellect.
With the right support, most people with a learning disability can lead happy, healthy, independent lives. At Mencap, it’s our mission to remove societal barriers and shatter misconceptions to make this more possible for more people.
Mencap’s guide to reporting on Learning Disability
When it comes to creating content with people with a learning disability, we know many people feel nervous about saying and doing the wrong thing. Our guide for journalists, covers everything from up-to-date facts and figures to the right language to use. It also includes tips on how to work with people with a learning disability to gather the best content.
For further information, please contact Mencap’s media team on: [email protected] or 02076 965414 (including out of hours).
