From suits to boots: MPs take to the pitch with Mencap for Learning Disability Week
MPs and Peers swapped Westminster for the football pitch earlier today (Tuesday 16 June), joining people with a 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. at a local park in London for a powerful show of unity and inclusion to mark Learning Disability Week (15 to 21 June).
Organised by the learning disability charity Mencap and the UK Parliamentary Football Club, the friendly football match brought together cross-party parliamentarians and the learning disability community A community is the people and places in an area. in a shared space.
The MP and Peers won the friendly 5-2 but the most important result was the fun that was had and the connections made on the day.
Vijay Patel, captain of Mencap’s football team and campaigns assistant at Mencap, who has a learning disability, said: “Although we lost the game the most important thing is we had fun out there and everyone was together. The politicians were really supportive and really fair, and it was special to play them on this sunny morning during Learning Disability Week.”
Al Carns, MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, described it as a tough match. He said: “The Mencap team have got some amazing players so it’s been really good fun and a good challenge.” On the importance of Learning Disability Week, he said: “I think it’s really important to ensure people are heard, people are valued and we help disabled people get into work, join social groups and enjoy life and thrive.”
Chris Bloore, MP for Redditch, said: “It’s been a really competitive end-to-end game. Both goal keepers had to work really hard.” He continued: “I think Learning Disability week is important because people with a learning disability should feel valued, seen and heard. It’s really important to me that my constituents who might have a learning disability have the opportunity to access 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. , get into work and live the fullest lives possible. There are still a lot of obstacles so today’s a good week to remind us we can do a lot more.”
Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Bromborough, said: “It was a lovely experience Experience is when you have learned or tried something before. playing the game on a beautiful summer’s morning. I was really pleased to participate and see that everyone had a good opportunity to show off their skills. Sport is such a good way for everyone to get involved Involved is being included in something or taking part in something. and it looked like everyone had a really good time”
This year’s Learning Disability Week theme, ‘Do You See Me?’, aims to ensure the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK are seen, heard and valued.
The match represented a real way to bring this message to life by connecting parliamentarians with people with a learning disability, during a week that celebrates their abilities and contributions, whilst raising awareness of issues they face. Mencap’s football team featured people with a learning disability who work for the charity, other staff and members of Mencap's Islington Me Time project - a community-led programme supporting people with a learning disability to connect with others, build confidence, and thrive.
The cross-party parliamentarian team included Chris Bloore MP1 (Labour
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament (MP) is a person who speaks up about what people in their area need. People in each area choose their MP by voting for them.
for Redditch), Justin Madders MP2 (Labour Member of Parliament for Ellesmere Port and Bromborough), Gregor Poynton MP3 (Scottish Member of Parliament for Livingston), Al Carns4 (Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak), and Baron Markham5, Nick Markham6 (Conservative Peer).
Mencap’s team captain Vijay Patel continued: “I’m a huge football fan and today was a great way to bring people together. It’s not every day you get to meet and talk to people who make decisions that impact people with a learning disability. But this week, during learning disability week with the theme “Do You See Me”, those MPs and Lords were able to come and meet and hear from people with a learning disability and also learn more about what someone like me can do!”
Jon Sparkes OBE, chief executive of Mencap, said: “It was wonderful to see MPs and people with a learning disability come together on the pitch during Learning Disability Week. The match stands as a clear example of what can be achieved when the learning disability community and decision-makers come together, breaking down barriers, building understanding, and ensuring that people with a learning disability are seen, heard and valued.”
To learn more about this year’s learning disability week, please visit Mencap’s
website
A website is a page you can go to on the internet like Google or YouTube.
- www.mencap.org.uk
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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).
