Mencap appoints Nic Alderson as executive director of personal support (England)
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 Nic Alderson as its new executive director of personal support (England), starting on 1 February 2027.
Nic joins Mencap from stem cell transplant charity Anthony Nolan, where she has served as chief operating officer for the past 13 years. In that role, she has held executive responsibility Responsibility is managing or being in charge of something. for national and international service A service gives people what they need, like healthcare services that help people when they are ill, and support services that give people support. delivery, operational performance and income Income is all the money you get from things like paid jobs and government benefits. generation.
A highly experienced leader across the healthcare and voluntary sectors, Nic has led significant organisational growth through service expansion, strategic partnerships, operational improvement and commercial innovation. Prior to Anthony Nolan, she held senior leadership roles at the NSPCC, where she led a national transformation programme across direct services, Shelter and the Refugee
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.
.
Jon Sparkes OBE, chief executive at Mencap, said: “We're thrilled to welcome Nic to Mencap's Executive Team.
“Following a highly competitive recruitment process, Nic stood out for her executive leadership experience, operational expertise, commercial acumen and commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred services. She brings a strong track record of leading complex organisations Organisations are groups like companies and businesses. through growth and transformation, while keeping the people they support at the heart of decision-making.
“Personal Support is central to our Mencap 2030
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.
and our ambition to reach more people, in more ways, at every stage of life. Nic's appointment reflects our determination to build on our strengths,
innovate
To innovate means to come up with new ideas or ways of doing things.
and continue delivering the high-quality support that people with a learning disability and their families deserve.”
Nic Alderson said: “I'm delighted to be joining such a values Values are the things that are important to you. Mencap's values are being passionate, inclusive, brave, positive, and kind. -led, purpose-driven organisation and excited by the opportunity to lead Personal Support in England. Everyone I've met so far has demonstrated such passion, knowledge Knowledge is knowing a lot about something. and commitment to making a real difference.
“From my own lived experience, I know how transformational the right person-centred support can be in helping people with a learning disability to live the lives they choose.
“I'm really looking forward to getting to know Mencap and the wider learning disability community A community is the people and places in an area. , spending time in our services, and listening to colleagues, people with a learning disability, and their families and loved ones. Together, we have an opportunity to reach more people, in more ways, at every stage of life, supporting people with a learning disability to live their lives to the full.”
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 A campaign is when people work together to try to change something. 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).
