Mencap Update

Hi Tony
My name is Elizabeth and I work as a grants fundraising administrator at Mencap.

Mencap wants to increase the number people with a learning disability working for them. I have a learning disability, so when I applied to work for Mencap, they organised an assessment day for me instead of inviting me for an interview.

During my assessment day, I met the people who would be in my team, I talked to the person who would be my line manager and I did some of the tasks I would have to do in the job.

I started working for Mencap last year. I originally found out about Mencap through an adviser at the Jobcentre. Working for Mencap has really built up my confidence, and I like the people I work with.

Best wishes,*
Elizabeth

Young volunteers lead evaluation of Yap website
Two years ago, Mencap and the Vodafone Foundation worked with young volunteers with a learning disability to develop the Yap website. Now, young volunteers are leading the evaluation of the site. http://www.y-a-p.org.uk

Mencap launches families’ charter
Mencap’s families’ charter was launched at the Houses of Parliament on 17 April. Over 100 people attended, including the Minister for Care Services, Ivan Lewis MP, and the Rt. Hon. Tom Clarke MP. eileen.downey@mencap.org.uk

New Learning Disability Coalition
The Learning Disability Coalition will launch at May’s Community Care Live conference. It aims to make sure that the Government provides enough money for people with a learning disability to live the lives they want.
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/cclive/index.htm

UK commits to Convention on Disability Rights
The UK has become one of the first countries to sign the United Nations Convention on Disability Rights. It is the first ever human rights treaty on disability.
http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/