Jon Sparkes

Chief Executive, Mencap. Views expressed are personal views. Also to be found at

[Al Carns @AlistairCarns]

Loved every minute of that. A good bit of exercise does more for people than most things I can think of... you just have to get out and do it.

Big thanks to @mencap_charity for a brilliant game. Get out, get moving 🙌

[Mencap @mencap_charity]

1/1 Today at our #HomesNotHospitals conference, families, housing providers, social care leaders, NHS professionals and campaigners have come together to to ask: how do we make sure the right community support is in place?

[Mencap @mencap_charity]

Meet Mencap's Job Squad 💜

6 people with a learning disability in paid employment who are sharing their stories, challenging assumptions, and showing the difference inclusive workplaces can make

[Jon Sparkes @jon_sparkes]

Important conversation between @25DavidPearson and @reshrums at yesterday's @mencap_charity #HomesNotHospitals conference. Urgent action needed to release 2000 people with a learning disability and autistic people from detention in mental health hospitals.

[Jon Sparkes @jon_sparkes]

Powerful intervention from @ThurrockJen, Chair of the Westminster APPG on #learningdisability at yesterday's @mencap_charity #HomesNotHospitals conference. Action needed now to get 2000 people with a learning disability and autistic people released from mental health hospitals.

[Department for Work and Pensions @DWPgovuk]

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden responds to the Young People and Work interim report published by Alan Milburn today

We want young people, whatever their background, to fulfil their potential – and our Youth Guarantee is a part of what we are doing to make that happen

[Pat McFadden @patmcfaddenmp]

I commissioned Alan Milburn’s work because more opportunity for young people should be a national cause.

We have begun with the Youth Guarantee. This powerful report shows we need to do all we can to put work and opportunity at the heart of what we do. https://t.co/Vo8XuJZTXD

[FE News @FENews]

Milburn interim review warns of 'generational fault line' as NEET numbers could hit 1.25 million without reform | FE News sector reaction comments from:
@patmcfaddenmp @MachinStuart1 @MandSnews @jon_sparkes @AoCDavidH @AoC_info @RainNewtonSmith
https://t.co/JxLOYNfBPv
#Milburn

[Mencap @mencap_charity]

3/3 We know many people with a learning disability want to work, but face barriers to getting paid jobs. Supported internships, Access to Work, support from the benefit system, inclusive employers and reasonable adjustments can all play a vital role in changing that.

[Mencap @mencap_charity]

2/3 Almost 1 million young people in the UK are NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) , and young disabled people are far more likely to be in this position. 29.6% of young disabled people are NEET, compared to 8.7% of young people who are not disabled.

[Mencap @mencap_charity]

1/3 Young people with a learning disability deserve the same opportunities as everyone else. @jon_sparkes OBE spoke to Pip Tomson on @LBC News about Alan Milburn's latest report on the shocking number of young people classed as NEET https://t.co/v9wGQHgKHC

[Department for Work and Pensions @DWPgovuk]

Fit notes are not working so doctors, patients and employers are helping us trial a new approach

To support this we’re expanding WorkWell, to give 250,000 more people with health conditions tailored support to return to or stay in work https://t.co/Y45lLHHyXz

[Jon Sparkes @jon_sparkes]

@educationgovuk @bphillipsonMP Great way to bring a Government department closer to people. Can see why people might not like this, but I think this has brought more people to the inside of a Government department than anything I can remember.

[Department for Work and Pensions @DWPgovuk]

The Timms Review steering group wants to hear from you on the future of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

The group is co-producing the first ever full review of PIP, with disabled people at its heart

[Jon Sparkes @jon_sparkes]

Looking forward to working with you again @jamesmurray_ldn. Much to do on social care; much to do on the scandalous health inequality faced by people with a learning disability. @mencap_charity ready to work with you to implement change.

[James Murray @jamesmurray_ldn]

Deeply honoured to be appointed by the Prime Minister as Health & Social Care Secretary.

Huge thanks to @RachelReevesMP for my time as part of her fantastic team.

Can't wait to get started and continue @wesstreeting's brilliant work on such a critical mission for our country.

[Jon Sparkes @jon_sparkes]

Marking International Women's Day with two remarkable women who are also wonderful ambassadors for @mencap_charity's work for people with a learning disability to live their lives to the full - Royal Patron HRH Duchess of Edinburgh and Ambassador and Myth Buster Ellie Goldstein.

[The Royal Family @RoyalFamily]

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the wonderful Ellie Goldstein and the extraordinary legacy she created, following her trailblazing appearance on Strictly Come Dancing this year. 🪩

Earlier this week, The Duchess of Edinburgh welcomed Ellie and her Strictly partner, Vito, to St James’s Palace for a special afternoon tea.

Alongside Ellie’s mum and the CEO of @mencap_charity, the trio discussed the lasting impact of Ellie’s appearance on the show - and there was even time to show Her Royal Highness a few moves! 💃🕺

Her Royal Highness is Patron of Mencap, a charity that support people with a learning disability, their families and carers.

[Bridget Phillipson @bphillipsonMP]

This investment will change lives.

It'll go towards bespoke, calming spaces to help children with additional needs get the support they need at a good, local school on their doorstep.

Labour is building schools where every child can achieve and thrive.

https://t.co/7VsapJLl6D

[Jon Sparkes @jon_sparkes]

Good news from @bphillipsonMP & @educationgovuk this morning. Following on from scrapping the 2-child limit for social security this is a serious commitment to children who are too often marginalised.

https://t.co/b9JjP4lLub

[Barons Court Project @BaronsProject]

Our film to help us “Raise the Roof” is being shown on a big screen at our partner, Taylor Wessing. Lovely to see.

[Vicky Spratt @Victoria_Spratt]

A video sent to me by a concerned member of the public shows a TFL tube worker holding a megaphone next to the head of a sleeping homeless woman. Local rough sleepers have said this was not an isolated incident

Cc. my brilliant colleague @k_petrakos

https://t.co/wKcxb36ypV