Jon Sparkes
@jonsparkes.bsky.social
Chief Executive of Mencap the national learning disability charity. All views expressed here are personal views.
Access to Work (AtW) is a vital tool to support people with a learning disability into work, including via supported internships. These sorts of changes will lead to more people with a learning disability stuck at home instead of working. Nobody wants that.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
December 15, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Access to Work (AtW) is a vital tool to support people with a learning disability into work, including via supported internships. These sorts of changes will lead to more people with a learning disability stuck at home instead of working. Nobody wants that.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Access to Work (AtW) is a vital tool to support people with a learning disability into work, including via supported internships. These sorts of changes will lead to more people with a learning disability stuck at home instead of working. Nobody wants that.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Disabled jobs warning as MPs raise concerns over welfare changes
Led by Labour MP Marsha de Cordova, MPs raised concerns over possible changes to the Access to Work scheme, and hailed it as a vital lifeline for young people with learning disabilities
www.mirror.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Access to Work (AtW) is a vital tool to support people with a learning disability into work, including via supported internships. These sorts of changes will lead to more people with a learning disability stuck at home instead of working. Nobody wants that.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Reposted by Jon Sparkes
Access to Work is a lifeline to disabled people, helping them to find and stay in meaningful work.
Changes to this vital scheme will risk damaging disabled people's future opportunities & driving up unemployment as a result.
Link to The Mirror piece in bio.
Changes to this vital scheme will risk damaging disabled people's future opportunities & driving up unemployment as a result.
Link to The Mirror piece in bio.
December 15, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Access to Work is a lifeline to disabled people, helping them to find and stay in meaningful work.
Changes to this vital scheme will risk damaging disabled people's future opportunities & driving up unemployment as a result.
Link to The Mirror piece in bio.
Changes to this vital scheme will risk damaging disabled people's future opportunities & driving up unemployment as a result.
Link to The Mirror piece in bio.
Reposted by Jon Sparkes
1/4 💜 Our #ImIn campaign is raising awareness of the learning disability register and encouraging everyone with a learning disability to join.
#LearningDisabilityRegister
#LearningDisabilityRegister
December 3, 2025 at 11:23 AM
1/4 💜 Our #ImIn campaign is raising awareness of the learning disability register and encouraging everyone with a learning disability to join.
#LearningDisabilityRegister
#LearningDisabilityRegister
Reposted by Jon Sparkes
💜 We’re saying I’m In, are you?
👉 Swipe through to see the 3 big benefits of joining the Learning Disability Register.
#ImIn #LearningDisabilityRegister
👉 Swipe through to see the 3 big benefits of joining the Learning Disability Register.
#ImIn #LearningDisabilityRegister
December 8, 2025 at 11:28 AM
💜 We’re saying I’m In, are you?
👉 Swipe through to see the 3 big benefits of joining the Learning Disability Register.
#ImIn #LearningDisabilityRegister
👉 Swipe through to see the 3 big benefits of joining the Learning Disability Register.
#ImIn #LearningDisabilityRegister
Reposted by Jon Sparkes
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.”
December 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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.”
Reposted by Jon Sparkes
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.
December 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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.
Reposted by Jon Sparkes
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
Read more in The Guardian here: brnw.ch/21wYeYg
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’
brnw.ch
December 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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
Read more in The Guardian here: brnw.ch/21wYeYg
Reposted by Jon Sparkes
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.
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.
December 8, 2025 at 11:28 AM
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.
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.
Joint letter from Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, and Ismail Kaji, Mencap’s Parliamentary and Government Engagement Officer (who himself has a learning disability) to everyone who works in a GP surgery.
www.mencap.org.uk/easyread/let...
www.mencap.org.uk/easyread/let...
Letter to GPs on the learning disability register and annual health checks
I am Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it. . Easy read
www.mencap.org.uk
October 15, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Joint letter from Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, and Ismail Kaji, Mencap’s Parliamentary and Government Engagement Officer (who himself has a learning disability) to everyone who works in a GP surgery.
www.mencap.org.uk/easyread/let...
www.mencap.org.uk/easyread/let...
September 27, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Good luck to our amazing Mencap Myth Buster, Ellie Goldstein, as she takes to the BBC Strictly dancefloor💃
#Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing #TeamEllie #MythBuster #LearningDisability
#Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing #TeamEllie #MythBuster #LearningDisability
September 19, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Reposted by Jon Sparkes
1/5 🚨 People with a learning disability are dying on average 20 years younger than those without. Almost 4 in 10 of these deaths are avoidable, caused by barriers to healthcare and lack of access to public health and prevention programmes.
#LeDeR #LearningDisability
#LeDeR #LearningDisability
September 10, 2025 at 2:48 PM
1/5 🚨 People with a learning disability are dying on average 20 years younger than those without. Almost 4 in 10 of these deaths are avoidable, caused by barriers to healthcare and lack of access to public health and prevention programmes.
#LeDeR #LearningDisability
#LeDeR #LearningDisability
Reposted by Jon Sparkes
Our 2024/25 Annual Report is available to read on our website.
Find out how Mencap has made progress over the last financial year and learn more about how we’ve used our funds to support people with a learning disability.
👉An Easy Read version is also available here brnw.ch/21wVstA
Find out how Mencap has made progress over the last financial year and learn more about how we’ve used our funds to support people with a learning disability.
👉An Easy Read version is also available here brnw.ch/21wVstA
Annual reports
brnw.ch
September 4, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Our 2024/25 Annual Report is available to read on our website.
Find out how Mencap has made progress over the last financial year and learn more about how we’ve used our funds to support people with a learning disability.
👉An Easy Read version is also available here brnw.ch/21wVstA
Find out how Mencap has made progress over the last financial year and learn more about how we’ve used our funds to support people with a learning disability.
👉An Easy Read version is also available here brnw.ch/21wVstA
Some minor improvements in this year's LeDeR report, but wholly unacceptable health inequality persists. There is no justification for people with a learning disability to be 3 times more likely to die from treatable conditions.
Acknowledged in the NHS 10 year plan, but we need to act with urgency.
Acknowledged in the NHS 10 year plan, but we need to act with urgency.
The LeDeR report is out and it shows people with a learning disability are still facing shocking health inequalities and dying 19.5 years younger than the general population. They are also 3 times more likely to die from treatable conditions.
Read the full statement brnw.ch/21wVphy
Read the full statement brnw.ch/21wVphy
September 2, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Some minor improvements in this year's LeDeR report, but wholly unacceptable health inequality persists. There is no justification for people with a learning disability to be 3 times more likely to die from treatable conditions.
Acknowledged in the NHS 10 year plan, but we need to act with urgency.
Acknowledged in the NHS 10 year plan, but we need to act with urgency.
Reposted by Jon Sparkes
Before recess, I joined @dcpcampaign.bsky.social & @letuslearntoo.bsky.social in Parliament for the launch of their #FightForOrdinary campaign.
I heard directly from families how our broken SEND system is failing their children. Any reform must put their voices at the centre. 👇
I heard directly from families how our broken SEND system is failing their children. Any reform must put their voices at the centre. 👇
August 5, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Before recess, I joined @dcpcampaign.bsky.social & @letuslearntoo.bsky.social in Parliament for the launch of their #FightForOrdinary campaign.
I heard directly from families how our broken SEND system is failing their children. Any reform must put their voices at the centre. 👇
I heard directly from families how our broken SEND system is failing their children. Any reform must put their voices at the centre. 👇
Reposted by Jon Sparkes
@janeharrislondon.bsky.social talked to @lbc.co.uk this morning about @dcpcampaign.bsky.social’s #FightForOrdinary campaign, highlighting what’s needed in any SEND reforms to ensure children and their families don’t have to fight for ordinary things that everyone should expect.
Listen now📻👇
Listen now📻👇
July 22, 2025 at 10:15 AM
@janeharrislondon.bsky.social talked to @lbc.co.uk this morning about @dcpcampaign.bsky.social’s #FightForOrdinary campaign, highlighting what’s needed in any SEND reforms to ensure children and their families don’t have to fight for ordinary things that everyone should expect.
Listen now📻👇
Listen now📻👇
Reposted by Jon Sparkes
July 25, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Such devastating news about the earthquake in Afghanistan. Relief and shelter needed urgently from @ukforunhcr.bsky.social, @unhcr.org
donate.unrefugees.org.uk/afghanistan-...
donate.unrefugees.org.uk/afghanistan-...
Donate to UK for UNHCR
Donate to UK for UNHCR to provide shelter, food, and protection to millions of refugees forced to flee war and persecution.
donate.unrefugees.org.uk
September 1, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Such devastating news about the earthquake in Afghanistan. Relief and shelter needed urgently from @ukforunhcr.bsky.social, @unhcr.org
donate.unrefugees.org.uk/afghanistan-...
donate.unrefugees.org.uk/afghanistan-...
Parents like Etta want a #SEND system that works.
There’s nothing ‘special’ about a SEND system that doesn’t feel like a battle to navigate.
#FightForOrdinary bit.ly/FightforOrdi...
There’s nothing ‘special’ about a SEND system that doesn’t feel like a battle to navigate.
#FightForOrdinary bit.ly/FightforOrdi...
Fight for Ordinary - Disabled Children's Partnership
bit.ly
August 29, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Parents like Etta want a #SEND system that works.
There’s nothing ‘special’ about a SEND system that doesn’t feel like a battle to navigate.
#FightForOrdinary bit.ly/FightforOrdi...
There’s nothing ‘special’ about a SEND system that doesn’t feel like a battle to navigate.
#FightForOrdinary bit.ly/FightforOrdi...
Concerned about the review of #SEND? Invite your MP to the @dcpcampaign.bsky.social and @letuslearntoo.bsky.social event
#FightForOrdinary is about legally-guaranteed support for children with additional needs. That really should not be too much to ask for
secure.mencap.org.uk/en-gb/invite...
#FightForOrdinary is about legally-guaranteed support for children with additional needs. That really should not be too much to ask for
secure.mencap.org.uk/en-gb/invite...
Invite your MP to the Fight For Ordinary September drop-in!
The Disabled Children's Partnership and Let Us Learn Too will be hosting an event in Parliament on Monday 15th September 2025. As part of the Fight For Ordinary campaign, we will be bringing MPs toget...
secure.mencap.org.uk
August 29, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Concerned about the review of #SEND? Invite your MP to the @dcpcampaign.bsky.social and @letuslearntoo.bsky.social event
#FightForOrdinary is about legally-guaranteed support for children with additional needs. That really should not be too much to ask for
secure.mencap.org.uk/en-gb/invite...
#FightForOrdinary is about legally-guaranteed support for children with additional needs. That really should not be too much to ask for
secure.mencap.org.uk/en-gb/invite...
Reposted by Jon Sparkes
Tune in to LBC this morning! 📻
Our CEO, Jane Harris, speaks for Disabled Children's Partnership about a shocking report claiming neurodivergence is overdiagnosed — and suggesting EHCPs be limited to special schools. 😠
Removing plans won’t remove children’s needs.
#FightForOrdinary?
Our CEO, Jane Harris, speaks for Disabled Children's Partnership about a shocking report claiming neurodivergence is overdiagnosed — and suggesting EHCPs be limited to special schools. 😠
Removing plans won’t remove children’s needs.
#FightForOrdinary?
LBC UK - Listen Live | Global Player
Leading Britain's Conversation. Access your favourite LBC shows now!
www.globalplayer.com
August 28, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Tune in to LBC this morning! 📻
Our CEO, Jane Harris, speaks for Disabled Children's Partnership about a shocking report claiming neurodivergence is overdiagnosed — and suggesting EHCPs be limited to special schools. 😠
Removing plans won’t remove children’s needs.
#FightForOrdinary?
Our CEO, Jane Harris, speaks for Disabled Children's Partnership about a shocking report claiming neurodivergence is overdiagnosed — and suggesting EHCPs be limited to special schools. 😠
Removing plans won’t remove children’s needs.
#FightForOrdinary?
Important research from @mencap.org.uk on the experience people with a learning disability have of public transport lays bare one of the major barriers people with a learning disability face to inclusion, and sets out what we can do about it.
www.mencap.org.uk/learning-dis...
#NoJourneyLeftBehind
www.mencap.org.uk/learning-dis...
#NoJourneyLeftBehind
The Big Public Transport Survey
www.mencap.org.uk
August 27, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Important research from @mencap.org.uk on the experience people with a learning disability have of public transport lays bare one of the major barriers people with a learning disability face to inclusion, and sets out what we can do about it.
www.mencap.org.uk/learning-dis...
#NoJourneyLeftBehind
www.mencap.org.uk/learning-dis...
#NoJourneyLeftBehind
Fuel poverty gap doubles in five years with energy prices still rising. People with a #learningdisability simply must be protected from ever increasing energy costs, or they face being pushed into fuel poverty, unable to stay safe, warm and healthy.
metro.co.uk/2025/08/27/d...
metro.co.uk/2025/08/27/d...
Devastating 'fuel poverty gap' doubles in five years with energy prices still ri
'The government must act with urgency to close the devastating gap in support and tackle this crisis.'
metro.co.uk
August 27, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Fuel poverty gap doubles in five years with energy prices still rising. People with a #learningdisability simply must be protected from ever increasing energy costs, or they face being pushed into fuel poverty, unable to stay safe, warm and healthy.
metro.co.uk/2025/08/27/d...
metro.co.uk/2025/08/27/d...