A royal delegation from an Arab state paid a "study visit" to a disabled charity to learn how to improve care services for vulnerable people in their own country. 


His Royal Highness, Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al-Hussein of Jordan, and members of Jordan’s Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities paid a visit to Harrow Mencap on February 26.


They were joined by the Jordanian Ministry of Social Development as part of a project to reform their care system in Jordan and enhance disabled people’s lives. Prince Mired is the president of the Higher Council.


The ‘study visit’ included a tour of the charity’s community-based services in Pinner, and children’s services in Harrow Weald. The prince took part in a variety of workshops and discussions alongside service users and staff. 


On the visit HRH Prince Mired said that new laws in Jordan included ‘clear stipulation on the deinstitutionalisation’ of people with disabilities. 


He added: “We are interested in learning about the experiences of other countries that succeeded in developing alternatives to residential institutions. This is why we came to London to try to transfer the experience to Jordan.”


The royal delegation wanted to learn how people in Harrow with disabilities are supported in day-to-day life. International family care NGO Lumos facilitated the visit.


Ross Hensman, head of the care and support business unit at Mencap, said: “We are delighted that Lumos chose Harrow Mencap to host Prince Mired and the Jordanian delegation. 


“It was great to share our learnings and best practices with them, as they embark on the next stage of their journey to bring about change to the lives of people with disabilities in Jordan.”


Mencap campaigns for the equal citizenry and rights for disadvantaged people. Lumos was founded by J.K. Rowling and is named after the spell in the Harry Potter series that ‘brings light to the darkest of places’.