
ALT Press statement on a purple and oatmeal template with a quote from Grainne Close, Director of Mencap Northern Ireland “Rory McIlroy has been a tremendous supporter of Mencap, supporting the build of our children’s centre in Belfast a few years ago. However, we would like to clarify that reports stating he donated winnings from a recent tournament to Mencap are not accurate. We remain deeply grateful for his generosity and commitment to our cause and would like to congratulate him on his recent wins.”

ALT MLA Kate Nicholl is holding a pink and purple Mencap research paper called “Employ Me” she is wearing a black and white polka dot dress. Also in the photo is a Mencap staff member who is also holding a pink and white search paper called treat me well. She is wearing a beige blouse and brown trousers.

ALT Text post with NICMA logo in top left corner. To the right of the logo is blue text reading “Are you the parent / carer of a child with disabilities or additional needs aged 0 - 16 years in Northern Ireland?”. Below that is black text reading “The Northern Ireland Childminding Association (NICMA) is undertaking research to understand families' childcare needs and would like to hear from you.” Below that is blue text reading “Click the below link to complete the survey and enter our prize draw.” This is followed by a link also written in blue text “ https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NICMAChildcareSurvey25” At the bottom of the image is black text reading “ We welcome your views to inform future service provision. Survey closes 7th March 2025.” Followed by blue text reading “Thank you for your time.”

ALT Text post reading: “Everyone deserves equal access to cancer care, but for people with a learning disability, this is far from reality. These troubling findings highlight how marginalised groups, including people with learning disabilities, are being left behind, further deepening health inequalities across our society. Navigating a cancer diagnosis is an incredibly stressful and complex experience. It often involves numerous appointments, scans, and potentially invasive treatments, all while needing to communicate with various healthcare professionals. For someone with a learning disability, who may need extra support to understand medical terminology, communicate their needs, and advocate for themselves, this journey can feel even more overwhelming.”

ALT Text post reading: “In Northern Ireland, where over 42,000 people live with a learning disability, it’s critical that healthcare services meet their legal and moral obligation to provide accessible and inclusive care. Mencap’s research shows that 51% of people with a learning disability in the UK who need communication support at the doctor don’t receive it, despite this being a legal right under the Equality Act 2010 and comparable protections in Northern Ireland’s disability legislation. Simple adjustments—like providing information in easy-read formats, allowing carers to attend appointments, or offering longer consultations—can make a life-saving difference. Yet, cancer remains one of the top three avoidable causes of death for people with a learning disability.”



























