Meet Alan Hopkins, a devoted carer for his brother Malcolm, who has learning disabilities. Their bond is one of patience, laughter and deep understanding, strengthened through life’s challenges. Alan hasn’t only cared for his brother, but also put his heart and soul into caring for their mother as well. He has devoted his life to caring for others.

Beyond his role as a carer, Alan is also a self-taught and gifted artist, capturing human emotion and experience in stunning portraits of his local community.

Alan uses his painting as an opportunity to express emotions and experiences that words sometimes fail to articulate. As his brother faces the challenges of navigating a world that often overlooks people with disabilities, Alan finds his solace in his canvas, translating love, patience, and understanding into every stroke of his brush.

Alan and his brother have been receiving support from the Carers Wellbeing Team and Community Learning Disability Team for a number of years and as his way of saying thank you, Alan has painted and donated portraits of both the Val Waterhouse Centre and Westgate to the staff of CPG. They are proudly displayed in both buildings.

As part of Learning Disabilities Week, we would like to feature Alan and Malcolm in our ‘Do you See Me’ Campaign, which aims to challenge perceptions and bring visibility to people with learning disabilities and their caregivers. Their story serves as an inspiration.

Through his paintings, Alan does more than create colourful works of art; he builds understanding, opens conversations, and ensures he and his brother are truly seen. We want the community to see that their story highlights both the joys and challenges they face, encouraging society to see beyond labels and embrace the full humanity of every individual.