Press release -
West Midlands Railway: Learning disability charity adopts local Birmingham station
A busy Birmingham railway station is set for a new lease of life thanks to a partnership between West Midlands Railway (WMR) and learning disability charity Mencap, which campaign for the rights of the 1.5 million people across the UK with a learning disability.
Mencap is adopting Selly Oak station through its ‘training academy’ programme, which delivers supported internships to people aged 16-24 with learning disabilities or autism.
Mencap’s 12 interns will play a key role in maintaining the station and making it a more welcoming, friendly place for residents and railway users. Since first getting the keys in May, the Mencap adopters have already put up eye-catching posters with uplifting quotes from the interns. Next, they plan to transform the station’s green spaces through planting.
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at WMR, said: “We are delighted to have Mencap onboard as a station adopter in Selly Oak. With its proximity to the university and neighbouring retail park, the station has a high footfall of 1.9million passengers travelling through it each year, giving Mencap the opportunity to demonstrate their young learners’ fantastic work to a range of people.”
Jason Hardman, Head of Mencap Training Academy, said: “We know that currently, only 27% of the 1.5 million people with a learning disability across the UK are employed – despite 86% of people with a learning disability saying they want a paid job. This initiative is just one of the fantastic ways that our Supported Internships can help learners develop vital skills for their future career. Well done to the team – we look forward to seeing the station transform throughout the year!”
West Midlands Railway and sister brand, London Northwestern Railway (LNR), support station adopters across its rail network, with 67 stations adopted. On the LNR side of the network, Mencap is also adopting Northampton station.
To find out more about station adoption, visit Station Adoption | West Midlands Railway.
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About London Northwestern & West Midlands Railways
For further information on this release, email press.office@wmtrains.co.uk
London Northwestern & West Midlands Railways operates both West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway services.
- London Northwestern Railway services operate between Liverpool and Birmingham, and on the West Coast Main Line to and from London Euston.
- West Midlands Railway services operate to destinations across the West Midlands via Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Snow Hill.
For more information on these services visit westmidlandsrailway.co.uk or londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk
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About Mencap:
Mencap exists to ensure the UK is the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We support people directly and campaign with people with a learning disability, their families and carers. We work to change laws, increase representation and campaign for better health, social care and employment opportunities for the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK.
What is a learning disability?
- A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability which affects someone for their whole life. Typically, people with a learning disability need more time to learn and process information. They may need extra support to develop skills, complete tasks and interact with others, or they may have more complex needs requiring round-the clock care. The level of support needed is different for everyone and may change during a person’s lifetime.
- Learning disability is NOT a mental illness or a learning difficulty. Often, the term ‘learning difficulty’ is wrongly used in place of ‘learning disability’. Having a learning difficulty (such as ADHD or dyslexia) may mean a person learns at a different pace or in a different way BUT – unlike a learning disability - it does not affect a person’s intellect.
- With the right support, most people with a learning disability can lead happy, healthy, independent lives. At Mencap, it’s our mission to remove societal barriers and shatter misconceptions to make this more possible for more people.
