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 is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to its executive team:
- Chris Chalkley has been appointed to the role of executive director, personal support services (England)
- Laura Rees will take up the executive director of people role in October
- Mary Mawhinney joins as executive director of governance & company secretary in November
Under the leadership of Jon Sparkes OBE, who became chief executive in June 2024, these additions to Mencap’s leadership team reflect the
organisation
An organisation are a group of people who work together.
’s ambitions for the next phase of its strategic direction. They join a team working hard to drive meaningful change with and for people with a learning disability.
Jon Sparkes OBE, chief executive at Mencap said: “These appointments will be crucial to progressing Mencap’s work to ensure people with a learning disability get the very best, empowering support, enabling them to engage fully in communities,
employment
Employment means having a job.
, sport and other activities. This is underpinned by a truly
values
Values are the things that are important to you. Mencap's values are being passionate, inclusive, brave, positive, and kind.
-based culture and strong governance. Over the next year, we will refresh our
strategy
A strategy is a plan to show what an organisation, or a person, wants to do and how they are going to do it.
, bringing further focus on ensuring the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK live happier, healthier and more fulfilled lives on their terms.”
Chris Chalkley - executive director, personal support services (England):
Chris brings vast
experience
Experience is when you have learned or tried something before.
of delivery of
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
services for people with a learning disability to this role. He first joined Mencap in 1991 as a
volunteer
A volunteer is someone who helps out by doing work for free.
and progressed through front line
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.
roles to manage services and hold senior positions leading on quality and business development.
Since February, Chris has been serving as the interim executive director of personal support services (England) and is now taking up the role permanently where he will oversee the delivery of personal support to over 4,000 people with a learning disability in Mencap services.
On Chris’ appointment, Jon Sparkes OBE, chief executive at Mencap, said:
“I am very pleased to confirm Chris’ permanent appointment to the executive team. Under his experienced leadership, we look forward to continued progress on the quality of our social care services throughout England and enhancing our portfolio of services to be real exemplars of support services for people with a learning disability.”
Chris Chalkley said:
"I am excited and honoured to be given the opportunity to continue leading and developing the work that the Mencap personal support team is doing towards ensuring that the people we support are able to live happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.”
Laura Rees – executive director of people:
Laura joins Mencap from British Red Cross, where she was senior director of people. She brings great expertise in both the charity and commercial sectors, and is recognised as a transformational leader in operational HR. She has also held senior HR positions at JLL, CBRE, ForgeRock and Bureau Veritas.
At Mencap, Laura will lead all aspects of the charity’s people operations, including HR, volunteering and work on equity,
diversity
Diversity means people from all different cultures and backgrounds.
and inclusion initiatives. Her strategic HR expertise will be key as Mencap continues to build a diverse and inclusive workforce. She will work closely with the executive team and board of trustees to ensure that Mencap’s values are reflected throughout the organisation.
On Laura’s appointment, Jon Sparkes OBE, chief executive at Mencap, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Laura to Mencap. Her experience will be crucial to leading our efforts to support and develop our staff and volunteers, making sure our values are reflected across the organisation. Her leadership will help our work to support people with a learning disability and their families.”
Laura Rees said:
“I am excited to be joining the Mencap family and look forward to working with my team to ensure Mencap’s people have the best possible opportunities to do great work with people with a learning disability, within an inclusive environment that encourages everyone to be themselves.”
Mary Mawhinney – executive director, governance & company secretary:
Mary served as the chief of staff at the British Red Cross and has spent her career working alongside leaders at the highest level of Government and the charity sector. This includes the United Nations in New York, serving as private secretary to the Australian
Prime Minister
The Prime Minister is the leader of
the government
The Government are the people who run the country. The Government decide how much tax people should pay and how things like the National Health Service (NHS) should work.
.
and adviser to the Trade Minister. She is also a trustee for Step Together Volunteering, a charity that provides support, coaching and volunteering placements in the
community
A community is the people and places in an area.
for
vulnerable
Being vulnerable means being at risk of harm, or that you need special care because of your age or disability.
and marginalised individuals.
Mary will oversee the work of Mencap’s governance team, legal team, Mencap Trust Company, and will work closely with the
Voices Council
The Mencap Voices Council are a group of 12 people with a learning disability. They share their views and experiences to help Mencap's Board of Trustees make decisions.
– a group of 12 people with a learning disability who share their views and experiences to support senior decision making. Mary has a strong track record of supporting and collaborating with boards and committees to make informed, evidence-based decisions.
On Mary’s appointment, Jon Sparkes OBE, chief executive at Mencap, said:
“We are delighted that Mary is joining the Mencap team. With a strong background in governance and legal, Mary will help ensure that our processes are transparent and accountable. We look forward to working with her to make the UK the best place in the world to live for people with a learning disability.”
Mary Mawhinney said:
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the brilliant team at Mencap and can't wait to get started.”
-ENDS-
For further information please contact Mencap’s media team on: media@mencap.org.uk or 0207 696 5414 (including out of hours).
Notes to editors:
About Mencap:
Mencap exists to ensure the UK is the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We support people directly and
campaign
A campaign is when people work together to try to change something.
with people with a learning disability, their families and carers. We work to change laws, increase representation and campaign for better health, social care and employment opportunities for the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK.
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.