We’re delighted to welcome Aled Blake to the Learning Disability Wales team. We asked Aled to tell us about himself and his new role as Policy and Communications Officer.


I joined Learning Disability Wales in November, working with Sam and Kai on policy and communications. I have just completed a master’s degree in politics and public policy at Cardiff University, fulfilling a long-held ambition to return to higher education.

I am really proud to be working for Learning Disability Wales, an organisation which is doing so much important work improving the lives of people with learning disabilities. I came to this year’s annual conference in Newport where I was inspired by the stories that were told that day and loved watching Hijinx’s interactive performance. In the short time I have been here it is clear that people are passionate about their work and dedicated to Learning Disability Wales’s mission.

I was a journalist for about 17 years and have also worked in policy in higher education. I’m a big Cardiff City fan and wrote a book about the club’s promotion to the Premier League in 2018.

Outside of work I love spending time with my family, am a coach with my son’s football team and when I’m not carrying an injury, I enjoy running up and down the hills around Barry where I live and along the lovely coastal paths here.

Aled has a short beard is wearing a black cap, grey jumper and is standing in front of a brick wall, looking to his right