Great to chair a joint meeting of the APPGs on Learning Disability, Autism, and ADHD.

Thanks so much to @mencap.org.uk for setting it up, and @georgiagould.bsky.social for joining us.

Graphic with a headline “Restrained and locked away.” It promotes a free exhibition from 13 to 19 March 2026 at Rich Mix, Shoreditch, highlighting how thousands of people with a learning disability or autistic people are locked away in mental health hospitals. The graphic includes a black and white artwork called Isolation by Josh of his brother’s experience in a mental health hospital, showing a faceless figure with a “Seeking Help” blindfold.

Behind every detention is a family missing birthdays, celebrations and everyday moments together.

Join us, and ask “What does it take to bring people home?”

📍Opens Friday 13 March, Rich Mix, Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, London.

Find out more brnw.ch/21x0ABG

If you’ve ever wondered how leaving a gift in your Will could make a difference for people with a learning disability, this event is a great place to start.

"Through our #ImIn campaign we’re working with health partners across the UK to get more people on the Learning Disability Register. Being on the register means they’ll receive free annual health checks".

Find out more brnw.ch/21x07cS

@jonsparkes.bsky.social OBE, Chief Executice Officer at Mencap said: “Too many men with a learning disability are being let down by a health system that doesn’t spot their cancers early enough or support them to navigate complex treatments".

The study found men with a learning disability are 35% more likely to have prostate cancer symptoms, but 34% less likely to get a Prostate Specific Antigen test, one of the key checks that can lead to an early diagnosis.

New research from @nihr-gmpsrc.bsky.social highlights stark inequalities for men with a learning disability diagnosed with prostate cancer.

We’re offering £500 grants for organisations helping more people with a learning disability join their GP’s learning disability register.

👉Better healthcare starts with being on the learning disability register brnw.ch/21x02AN #ImIn

Co produced with families and campaigners, we invite you to step inside these experiences and ask, “What does it take to bring people home?”

The exhibition will share the real stories behind the statistics, stories of confinement, of families torn apart, and of the fight to bring people home.

The Fight for Freedom is a free exhibition that sits at the heart of Mencap’s ongoing Homes not Hospitals campaign, calling for an end to inappropriate detention and for properly funded, life changing support in the community.

Graphic with a headline “Restrained and locked away.” It promotes a free exhibition from 13 to 19 March 2026 at Rich Mix, Shoreditch, highlighting how thousands of people with a learning disability or autistic people are locked away in mental health hospitals. The graphic includes a black and white artwork called Isolation by Josh of his brother’s experience in a mental health hospital, showing a faceless figure with a “Seeking Help” blindfold.

⏰ Something powerful is coming to London. Save the date.

Free speech is not hate speech. Using the R-word is never acceptable.

Nnena Kalu becomes first artist with a learning disability to win Turner prize Chair of 2025 judging panel says win ‘begins to erase that border between the neurotypical and neurodiverse artist’

4/4 Alex Farquharson, chair of the jury and director of Tate Britain, described her win as a watershed moment for the international art world, highlighting how it begins to dissolve boundaries.

Read more in The Guardian here: brnw.ch/21wYeYg

3/4 Her studio manager, Charlotte Hollinshead, shared with @theguardian.com : “Nnena has faced an incredible amount of discrimination, which has continued to this day, so hopefully this award helps to smash the prejudice away.”

2/4 Nnena, a British Nigerian artist with a learning disability and limited verbal communication, has faced challenges throughout her journey.

A photo of Nnena Kalu designing a pink, blue and yellow piece of art and smiling. She wears a striped floral t shirt and a purple apron. The pink text box has the blue logo of the guardian news outlet. There is white text on the graphic that says 'Nnena Kalu becomes first artist with a learning disability to win Turner prize'

1/4 🎨Huge congratulations to Nnena Kalu on becoming the first artist with a learning disability to win the Turner Prize. Her colourful and expressive sculptures are helping break down barriers, showing that people with a learning disability can achieve anything.

A purple and green graphic with a a green icon of a hand pointing down. The white text says 'Are You In? Join the Learning Disability Register today'

It’s quick, easy, and could change lives. Join today at shorturl.at/uXOv3

Thanks to funding from Omaze UK, we’re working to increase the number of people on the Learning Disability Register so they can access annual health checks and tailored healthcare.

A purple and green graphic with white text on it that says '3 Benefits of being on the learning disability register. Swipe for more.'

A purple and green graphic with white text on it that says 'Access to Free Annual Health Checks. People aged 14 and over on the Learning Disability register are entitled to a free annual health check with their GP. These checks are vital for spotting potential health problems early, which might otherwise be missed as people with a learning disability may struggle to express pain or symptoms.'

A purple and green graphic with a photo of a person with a learning disability smiling towards the camera, as a doctor listens to their heart'. The white text on it that says 'Reasonable Adjustments to Healthcare Services. GP practices and other healthcare providers are required to make "reasonable adjustments" to ensure accessible care. This can include offering longer appointment times, quieter waiting areas, information in Easy Read formats, or the option to have a carer or support worker present during consultations.'

A purple and green graphic with a photo of Rahima who is wearing a green jumper and is sat in a black wheelchair, she smiles towards the camera. The white text on the graphic says 'Priority Access to Vaccinations. People on the Learning Disability Register are eligible for priority access to certain vaccinations, including the annual NHS flu vaccination and any relevant Covid 19 vaccinations/boosters.'

💜 We’re saying I’m In, are you?

👉 Swipe through to see the 3 big benefits of joining the Learning Disability Register.

#ImIn #LearningDisabilityRegister

4/4 To join our campaign and build a letter that you can take to your GP and ask to be added to the learning disability register, fill it out here:
brnw.ch/21wY2qq

Join the thousands who’ve said “I’m In” and join the learning disability register.

3/4 Thanks to funding from Omaze UK, we’re working to increase the number of people on the Learning Disability Register so they can access annual health checks and tailored healthcare.

2/4 Ciara explains what being on the learning disability register means, "Your needs are respected and better healthcare"

1/4 💜 Our #ImIn campaign is raising awareness of the learning disability register and encouraging everyone with a learning disability to join.

#LearningDisabilityRegister

A cream and pink graphic with a photo of four smiling towards the camera. The pink text says '2 child benefit cap will end. The 2 child benefit cap prevents parents from claiming child tax credit and Universal Credit for more than two children.Removing this cap will lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty, and will help many families who have children with a learning disability.'

2/2 There was no mention of social care funding, which so many people with a learning disability and their families rely on every day from getting out of bed to washing and eating food.

A pink graphic with a photo of the chancellor Rachel Reeves in a Navy blazer, she is smiling whilst holding up a red brief case. The cream text says 'Today, the government released their Autumn budget. Here’s what we think'

A cream and pink graphic with a photo of a mother helping her daughter with a learning disability in the kitchen. The pink text says 'Longer Personal Independence Payment (PIP) awards. The government announced that they will reduce Personal Independence Payment (PIP) reassessments. Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reassesses 700 people with a learning disability every month for PIP, even though learning disabilities are lifelong and do not change. We welcome plans to reduce these reassessments.'

A purple graphic with a photo of two women sat on a sofa chatting to each other. The purple and white text says 'Face to face assessments for disability benefits. The chancellor announced more benefits assessments will take place face to face. We know many people with a learning disability prefer this. However, we hope claimants can pick the right type of assessment for them.'

A blue and white graphic with a photo of a young woman working with her colleague showing her what to do. The white text says 'Apprenticeships for people under 25 will be free for small to medium sized businesses. Apprenticeships can be a great pathway into work for people with a learning disability. It is good to see the government investing in expanding training opportunities.'

1/2 🚨 The chancellor Rachel Reeves has released the government's Autumn budget today.

There was lots in the budget, including some plans that will impact people with a learning disability and their families.

Swipe to find out what we think.

#Budget2025

5/5 Families are being pushed to breaking point. With the Budget just days away, we’re asking the Chancellor to remember the people behind the numbers and make social care a national priority.

Read the real stories here: careandsupportalliance.com/figures-that...

4/5 Analysis from Healthwatch found that up to 1.5 million disabled adults in England are eligible for support but aren’t receiving it. Social care is not a luxury. It’s a lifeline. Yet right now, millions are going without the support they need to live safely and with dignity.

3/5 Inside were the voices that matter most, disabled people, older people, and unpaid carers, all calling for urgent action on social care.

2/5 Mencap Director of Strategy @jackieosullivan.bsky.social was there alongside Ismail and John from the Mencap policy team.

A group of people with placards sat outside downing street.

1/5 📢 Today, we joined the Care and Support Alliance and other charities like Age UK and Carers UK to deliver a symbolic red box of real stories to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves at 11 Downing Street.

#SocialCare #FiguresThatMatter