Learning Disability Week 2025: Raising voices, challenging inequality

This week-long event brings national attention to the experiences of people with learning disabilities, highlighting both the challenges they face and the achievements they make.

This year’s theme is “Do you see me?”, which centres on visibility and understanding, focusing on helping people with a learning disability feel seen, heard, and valued. It calls on everyone to reflect on how society can become more inclusive and supportive, especially in healthcare, education, and employment.

The importance of learning disability week

People with learning disabilities face significant health inequalities. Around 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability, yet many still face barriers accessing basic services like healthcare and education. These avoidable inequalities are often linked to poor access to healthcare, lack of understanding, and barriers in communication.

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Learning Disability Week plays a crucial role in challenging stereotypes and pushing for changes to create a fairer society. It’s a time to celebrate the contributions of people with learning disabilities, while also advocating for equal access to opportunities and care.

Local services and support in Westminster

In Westminster, Mencap delivers a wide range of services for residents with learning disabilities, including supported living, employment support, and inclusive activities that promote social inclusion. They work closely with families, carers, and local services to offer personalised and empowering support.

Other local support options include:

• Westminster Learning Disability Partnership: A team of health and social care professionals offering coordinated support across housing, health, and employment.
• The Advocacy Project Westminster: Providing advocacy services to ensure people with learning disabilities can speak up about their needs and rights.
• Portland College’s Outreach Services: Offering skills development and life-long learning opportunities.

How the NHS supports people with learning disabilities

The NHS has a number of initiatives in place to better support individuals with learning disabilities, including:

• The Learning Disability Register: People on this register are entitled to annual health checks and flagged for priority support.
• STOMP/STAMP: These programmes aim to reduce the overuse of psychotropic medication and improve mental health care for people with learning disabilities and/or autism.
• Reasonable Adjustments Flag: A digital tool that helps ensure people receive tailored support during NHS appointments by including details of necessary adjustments.
• The Oliver Mcgowan Mandatory Training , was introduced in response to the LeDeR programme, which reviews deaths of people with learning disabilities to improve services.

How you can support learning disability week

There are many ways individuals and organisations can get involved:

• Take part in fundraising activities like bake sales, sponsored walks, or dress-up days with Mencap
• Share stories and social media posts using the hashtag #LearningDisabilityWeek to spread awareness.
• Organise awareness events in schools, workplaces, or community centres.
• Donate to charities like Mencap or volunteer your time to support local services. Click here to donate.