Ealing (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Ealing Council welcomed residents with learning disabilities to take over roles and decision-making duties in a groundbreaking inclusivity event on 17 June.
The occasion took place during Learning Disabilities Week 2025, which this year has as its subject “Do you see me?”—a rallying cry for those with learning disabilities to be recognized, acknowledged, and appreciated on an equal basis with everyone else.
Council employees from several departments, including Councillor Polly Knewstub, the council’s cabinet member for healthy equal lives, met with representatives from the charity Ealing Mencap at Perceval House.
They collaborated with the communications team, adult services workers, and others to assist community involvement, social media planning, administrative support, and equalities initiatives.
They analyzed websites, made posters, came up with suggestions for content, and infused teams throughout the council with new ideas and inventiveness.
60% of persons with learning disabilities stated in 2022 that they wished to work, while just 4.8% were employed for pay, according to Ealing Mencap. For many people, working is about more than just making money; it’s about pride, freedom, and a sense of community.
Annemarie Braganza-Hawkins, community inclusion manager at Ealing Mencap, said:
“Educating people and raising awareness about learning disabilities is the first step, and that is what we were doing here. We decided to do something a bit bold by taking over Ealing Council for a day. People with learning disabilities stepped into important roles to show just what they can do when given the opportunity.
This would not have been possible without working in partnership with Ealing Council and we have been overwhelmed by the support from the council’s staff.”
Councillor Polly Knewstub, the council’s cabinet member for healthy equal lives, added:
“It was such a great experience working with Ealing Mencap. I had a fantastic time showing one of the visitors what I do and answering their questions. I hope we continue to offer opportunities like this – it was incredibly valuable for both of us.”
A group portrait outside Ealing Town Hall, featuring supporters, council employees, and members of Ealing Mencap, marked the end of the day.
In a prior initiative of a similar nature, the council allowed care leavers to participate in its daily decision-making process.
Since Ealing Mencap is commemorating 60 years of helping individuals with learning disabilities, this year is particularly noteworthy. The organization, which was founded in 1965 by a group of parents and carers who were pushing for equal opportunities and better services, is still an advocate for choice, independence, and inclusion.
How did the takeover day help adults with learning disabilities influence council services?
By providing them with the chance to see senior council employees and interact directly with decision-makers from multiple departments, the Learning Disabilities Takeover Day enabled persons with learning disabilities to have an impact on council services.
Through this practical engagement, participants were able to offer firsthand feedback and push the council to make tangible commitments to improve accessibility and support, like setting up a focus group to improve website accessibility, improving the usability of safer communities’ leaflets, and raising staff induction programs’ awareness of disabilities.
By encouraging co-production and guaranteeing that their requirements and viewpoints are taken into account in council policies and procedures, the event gave participants the ability to truly influence the services that impact them.
The participants’ leadership of follow-up sessions guarantees continued oversight of these pledges, enhancing their impact on council services.