People with learning disabilities launch campaign to be seen and heard

People with learning disabilities around Portsmouth and the New Forest are calling for more opportunities and representation in society.

There still remain societal barriers for people with learning disabilities and things that are often taken for granted, are inaccessible to them. They live in a world where their opinions aren’t heard, getting from A to B is hard, and life is decided for them. This can inevitably lead to a deterioration in mental health and feelings of helplessness.

To help change this situation, local charity Minstead Trust has been speaking to some of the people they support about better representation and respect, which has resulted in the ‘Me, not my disability’ campaign. It gives a platform to people with learning disabilities to shout about their passions and to have their voices heard.

The campaign seeks to raise £55,000 to fund training programmes, life coaching, and access to a plethora of useful resources and tools for people with learning disabilities. The money will also be used to expand people’s life experiences, and to improve accessibility in public spaces.

One of the people involved in the campaign is Richard. He’s a member of a community theatre group at Hanger Farm Arts Centre in Totton. Richard said: ‘I am happy, I am helpful, I am an actor. I love acting. I really enjoy putting on a show for an audience, and for them to clap. My dream is to always be happy and to be seen by lots of people.’

Another campaigner is Silas, who helps with the plant sales area at Furzey Gardens in Minstead, which is run by Minstead Trust. Silas said: ‘I am a person who loves gardening and works hard every day. I want more people to know about my gardening. It makes me happy and I get to talk to my friends.’

In order to help more people like Richard and Silas, who each have dreams and life goals, the Trust is taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge. From 29 November to 6 December, all donations to the charity will be doubled. This is thanks to generous major donors, who will match fund all future donations to the campaign, enabling people to have double the impact, at no extra cost.

Rachel is one person who has benefited from fundraisers like the Big Give, and is now an independent manager of Lily&Lime café in Lalys pharmacy, Portsmouth. She commented: ‘I want to be respected for who I am and to choose my own path, which is why the Big Give is so important. Because of the Big Give, I have been given support to become a manager of a café all by myself.’

You can get to know more people from the Trust, and find out ways to support the campaign by visiting: www.minsteadtrust.org.uk/big-give