Big Issue and Mencap unite for Learning Disabilities Week

Big Issue Group and Mencap, the learning disability charity, announced that the latest Big Issue breaks new ground as the first magazine to be created by and wholly feature people with learning disabilities.

The magazine marks this year's Learning Disability Week (June 17-23) - an annual celebration of people with a learning disability, their families and carers - all articles in the issue focus on the real-life experiences and achievements of people with a learning disability.

Michael Benyon, from Chirk, is a Mencap Myth Buster - one of a group of people who are living life with a learning disability and campaigning for change. He has worked with the magazine's editorial team to produce three mouth-watering recipes - a vegetarian Bobotie (South African meatloaf), a sticky prawn couscous bowl and Welsh cakes.

Collaboration between Mencap and the Big Issue.

Inspired by his love of cooking and history, Michael set up the COALPIT Welsh Cake company in 2018. On his choice of menu for the magazine, he said: "To celebrate my Welsh heritage, I have chosen to share my great grandmother's Welsh cake recipe. I have enjoyed many hours cooking and eating these delicious cakes with my great-grandmother and grandmother.

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"I was born in South Africa and spent four years of my life eating African cuisine. Since then my family have kept exploring African dishes and tradition, which gave me the confidence to cook the dishes and explore African flavours. [Vegetarian Bobotie] is one of the family's favourites!

Michael, who has also represented GB at the special Olympics and was the first person with Down's syndrome from Wales to run the London Marathon, added: "As an athlete, I'm always conscious about what I put in my body. I am always trying new dishes with a number of fresh vegetables, protein, herbs and nuts. It is important I keep my energy levels up, especially when I do long runs. Having the love for food and sport is a good combination."

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Mencap's chief executive, Jon Sparkes said: "This powerful collaboration with the Big Issue puts people with a learning disability at the heart of every story. We are told there is a very little representation of people with a learning disability in the media, and we are trying to change that by working alongside one of the UK's most recognised social enterprises to put their lives at the front and centre of every page.

"This publication of the Big Issue is a stark reminder of the incredible things that can be achieved despite many societal barriers.

"We hope this issue will inspire people to support our cause and learn more about the amazing people in their community and throughout the UK, who have a learning disability."

Collaboration between Mencap and the Big Issue.

Editor of the Big Issue, Paul McNamee added: "People speak frequently about hearing from those who are often marginalised in society. At the Big Issue, we believe in putting in giving them a platform to tell their stories. Our collaboration with Mencap is yet another way we're doing this - breaking new ground by putting this week's Big Issue in the hands of people with a learning disability.

"It's not about paying lip-service, but rather wholeheartedly allowing a platform and offering assistance if needed. These fantastic contributors have created an incredible edition of our magazine. We strive constantly to challenge and offer opportunities to those who don't always have them. This Big Issue is something to be incredibly proud about."

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The Big Issue have also redesigned the publication to make it more accessible to people with a learning disability. This will include a slight altered colour scheme, including accessible colour combinations for the greater contrast between text and background, to help readability. Larger-scale fonts have also been used as well as the inclusion of easy-read pullout boxes.

• This week's special edition Big Issue is now on sale. Find your local vendor to buy a copy, or subscribe online, at bigissue.com.

If you would like to support Mencap, you can donate here: tinyurl.com/4yv5nh3t