Key contacts for journalists
We are here to provide comment, information, interviews and stories for reporting on learning disability. We also have a range of spokespeople from policy experts to people with a learning disability who can speak on a number of issues and topics.
You can email us or use our 24 hour contact number which is 02076965414.
Browse our press releases
Mencap believes people with learning disabilities should be seen as valued individuals with the potential to achieve.
We use press releases to raise awareness and challenge misconceptions.
News
Find the latest news about people with a learning disability and the issues that affect them, as well as Mencap's work.
Guide for journalists
Seeing and hearing from people with a learning disability in the media is an important step towards better understanding.
Our media team can help journalists in their reporting and have some helpful guidance.
Mencap's Media team would be happy to talk to you about your story.
You can send your story to us using our webform, or you can email the Media team direct.
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.
We have created a page of tips and background information for journalists to use about what a learning disability is and isn't.
If you are interested in sharing your story and experiences with the media, why not become a media volunteer for Mencap?
Media volunteers are very important to Mencap's work as we want to ensure people with a learning disability feel empowered to speak up about issues they are passionate about.
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) 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.
We have been campaigning to change the lives of people with a learning disability and their families and carers since 1946 across many vital areas, including health, education, rights and social care.
Our campaign page provides information about our current campaigns, and our campaign reports page provides downloadable information about some of our earlier campaigns.
Visit our research page for the latest research and statistics about learning disability issues.
Our 2024 Mencap Manifesto outlines the actions that we want all of the political parties to include in their manifestos if they are serious about improving the lives of people with a learning disability.
It covers actions we want to see happen around:
- Social care
- Homes not hospitals
- Healthcare
- Employment
- Cost of living
- Bullying
Please email your query to disabledchildrens.partnership@mencap.org.uk
If you can't find the information you are looking for on our website, please contact our Learning Disability Helpline.