People with learning disabilities around Hampshire and the New Forest are calling for more opportunities and representation in society.

Things that are often taken for granted can be inaccessible for people with learning disabilities, when seemingly simple tasks, such as getting to the shop from home is hard. Their opinions aren’t heard and life is decided for them, which can lead to a deterioration in mental health and feelings of helplessness.

Local charity Minstead Trust is working to change this situation through its ‘Me, not my disability’ campaign. It has spoken with some of the people it supports about better representation and respect, and giving them chance disabilities to shout about their passions and to have their voices heard.

The campaign aims to raise £55,000 to fund training programmes, life coaching, and access to useful resources and tools for people with learning disabilities. The money will also be used to expand people’s life experiences, and to improve accessibility in public spaces.

Richard is a member of a community theatre group at Hanger Farm Arts Centre in Totton. He said: “I am happy, I am helpful, I am an actor. I love acting. I really enjoy putting on a show for an audience, and for them to clap. My dream is to always be happy and to be seen by lots of people.”

Silas helps with the plant sales area at Furzey Gardens in Minstead, which is run by Minstead Trust. He said: ‘I am a person who loves gardening and works hard every day. I want more people to know about my gardening. It makes me happy and I get to talk to my friends.’

To help even more people, the trust is taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge. From 29 November to 6 December, all donations to the charity will be doubled thanks to generous major donors, who will match fund all future donations to the campaign, enabling people to have double the impact, at no extra cost.

Rachel has benefited from fundraisers like the Big Give, and is now an independent manager of Lily&Lime café in Lalys pharmacy, Portsmouth. She said: “I want to be respected for who I am and to choose my own path, which is why the Big Give is so important. Because of the Big Give, I have been given support to become a manager of a café all by myself.”

For more information, or to support the campaign, go to www.minsteadtrust.org.uk/big-give