Research
From Engage to Change to WCLD: the story so far
How a research and evaluation project at Cardiff University grew into an organisation directed by the people it is about.
Not-for-Profit Community Interest Company
Working for Voice, Choice, and Control for People with Learning Disabilities
What WCLD Does
We provide co-produced research, evaluation and training. We are directed by people with learning disabilities, disabled, and neurodivergent people. All of our work employs people with lived experience as paid researchers across Wales.
Rydym yn darparu ymchwil, gwerthusiad a hyfforddiant a gyd-gynhyrchwyd. Rydym yn cael ein harwain gan bobl ag anawsterau dysgu, pobl anabl a phobl niwroddugol. Mae ein holl waith yn cyflogi pobl â phrofiad bywyd fel ymchwilwyr cyflogedig.
A spin-off of Engage to Change, Cardiff University
What makes us different
Lived ExperienceProfiad Bywyd
Directed and staffed by people with learning disabilities, disabled and neurodivergent people.
Directed and staffed by people with learning disabilities, disabled and neurodivergent people.
Voice & ChoiceLlais a Dewis
We work so that people with learning disabilities have voice, choice and control over their own lives.
We work so that people with learning disabilities have voice, choice and control over their own lives.
Co-ProductionCyd-gynhyrchu
Research done WITH people, not about them. Our researchers co-design every project.
Research done WITH people, not about them. Our researchers co-design every project.
Policy InfluenceDylanwad ar Bolisi
Our findings shape better support, services and policy across Wales and beyond.
Our findings shape better support, services and policy across Wales and beyond.
How we work
From first chat to shared results — every project follows the same three steps.
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Tell us about your projectTell us about your project
Big or small — we will work with you to design and carry out your project.
Big or small — we will work with you to design and carry out your project.
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Design the project togetherDesign the project together
We design and carry out every project together with people with lived experience — as co-researchers, advisors and directors, not as subjects.
We design and carry out every project together with people with lived experience — as co-researchers, advisors and directors, not as subjects.
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Share results everyone can useShare results everyone can use
We share results as Easy Read materials and accessible research outputs, so research changes real lives.
We share results as Easy Read materials and accessible research outputs, so research changes real lives.
Our impact in numbers
1000+
young people supported through Engage to Change
2025
founded as a spin-off from Cardiff University
100%
directed by people with lived experience
We have helped over 1000 young people. We started in 2025.
How we can work together
Three ways we can help — all led by people with lived experience.
Inclusive Research & Evaluation
Research and evaluation projects co-designed and delivered with people with learning disabilities as paid researchers.
We ask people about their lives.
Training & Consultancy
Practical training and consultancy that helps your team work inclusively and communicate clearly.
We teach others to include everyone.
Public Speaking
Our researchers with lived experience speak at conferences, events and in the media.
Our people speak at events.
Meet the team
Our company is directed by people with lived experience.
Gerraint Jones-Griffiths
Researcher / Director
Kurtis Marshall
Researcher / Director
Dr. Elisa Vigna
Researcher / Director
Andrea Meek
Researcher / Director
Alex Markovits
Researcher, PhD student
Voices
What guides our work, in our own words.
Everything we do supports voice, choice and control for people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people — in research, in services, and in policy.
Everything we do supports voice, choice and control for people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people — in research, in services, and in policy.
We are dedicated to empowering people with learning disabilities and/or neurodivergent people by providing opportunities to lead, contribute to and benefit from quality inclusive research.
We are dedicated to empowering people with learning disabilities and/or neurodivergent people by providing opportunities to lead, contribute to and benefit from quality inclusive research.
The researchers and people with learning disabilities they worked with felt it was time that people with learning disabilities were more in control of research about their own lives.
The researchers and people with learning disabilities they worked with felt it was time that people with learning disabilities were more in control of research about their own lives.
We do research together. People with learning disabilities lead our work.
News & updates
News
Welcome to our new website
Our new website is live — built to be accessible to everyone, with Easy Read mode, text-to-speech and high contrast options.
Let's work togetherGadewch i ni weithio gyda'n gilydd
“We will expect you to commit to the inclusion of people with lived experience of learning disability throughout.”
“Gobeithiwn y byddwch yn ymrwymo i gynnwys pobl ag anawsterau dysgu drwy gydol y gwaith.”