On Sunday 5th October, our annual event took place at Sutton Park in what was another successful, inclusive celebration of sport and community. The event was open to everyone who wanted to take part, with options to run various lengths, including 1km, 5km, and 10km. On the crisp autumn morning, our participants bravely battled the cold air and gave it their all — and we couldn’t have been prouder of everyone who participated and those who came to support.
The Sutton Park Challenge is truly a unique race, not only because of the beautiful setting but also because of its strong commitment to inclusivity. We are passionate about welcoming and encouraging everyone to take part, regardless of ability, age, or experience. Our goal is to create an event where all participants feel valued, supported, and motivated to enjoy the day. We were thrilled to see a wide range of people come together to participate in the event. Some of our athletes were frequent runners who chose to challenge themselves by running solo around the park, while many others ran with their dogs, families, and children.
There were several wheelchair users who participated together with their family and friends around the hilly course, highlighting the spirit of support and inclusivity that defined this day. People were also able to cycle along the route in either an accessible bike or trike if they wished. The event was suitable for everyone to join, and the route followed paths around Sutton Park that were accessible for both runners and cyclists.
Before the Challenge began, participants were busy warming up and getting ready with the support of friends and family, helping to create a warm, welcoming community atmosphere. There was a tent where athletes could register and receive their race numbers, and a coffee van offering hot and cold drinks for people to enjoy. The atmosphere was filled with positivity and excitement as people began to line up at the start line, surrounded by the cheerful encouragement of supporters. Running Marshalls both led and followed the race to ensure everyone stayed on the correct path, felt safe, and received any medical attention if needed. Their presence helped maintain a smooth, inclusive, and enjoyable experience for all involved.
Our staff and volunteers were stationed at various points along the course to help direct participants and provide encouragement throughout the event. The atmosphere was incredibly friendly, with words of support and motivation shared by staff, volunteers, and participants alike. At the finish line, families, friends, and supporters eagerly waited for our athletes to complete the event. As each person crossed the finish line, waves of cheers and applause erupted, congratulating them on their success. It was a deeply emotional moment for many, as participants, filled with pride and satisfaction, were reunited with their friends and family and presented with their well-earned medals.
After the 5km and 10km events had concluded, the participants of the 1km Challenge began to line up in preparation. This run was designed to be accessible for everyone, with children making up the majority of participants. There was an overwhelming sense of pride and joy from friends, families, and supporters as these young athletes set off on their run. Just like the other Challenges, the finish line was filled with friendly faces ready to celebrate their achievements — making it a memorable moment for everyone involved.
This year’s Sutton Park Challenge once again captured our mission to promote inclusivity and create opportunities for everyone to get involved. We want to congratulate every participant for your enormous achievement — we are so proud of you! And a huge thank you to all the supporters who came along to cheer — your enthusiasm and encouragement helped make the day so special.
At the end of September, we said a very emotional goodbye to our inspirational Chair, Martin Gallagher, who has stepped down after an incredible twenty-three years of service to Midland Mencap.
During those years, Martin has given unwavering support and guidance, helping to steer Midland Mencap through a period of remarkable growth and change. His leadership, insight, loyalty, and friendship have shaped who we are today.
Martin’s commitment to supporting our leadership team has been truly exceptional. His encouragement has allowed us to explore new ideas and seize opportunities that have helped drive Midland Mencap forward.
Throughout his professional career, Martin has been a powerful advocate for people with a learning disability. Known for being a passionate speaker, deep thinker, and strong strategist, Martin has left a lasting mark on the learning disability community. His legacy is one of dedication, courage, and a lifelong commitment to improving the lives of people with a learning disability and their families.
We thank Martin from the bottom of our hearts for everything he has done. We will miss him deeply and wish him every happiness for the future.
Thank you, Martin — from everyone at Midland Mencap.
Midland Mencap’s Community Hub, based at Weoley Castle Community Centre, is celebrating a major milestone in its ten-year partnership with Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG) by showcasing an inspiring new exhibition this September created by adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.
The exhibition, on display at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery until 30th September, highlights the power of creativity and inclusion through self-portraits, neurographic art, storytelling, poetry, and digital works. Inspired by the museum’s Made in Birmingham exhibition, members of the Community Hub explored their self-identity and place within the city.
This project is the result of true co-production, with members shaping the design and delivery of activities alongside artists and heritage partners. Collaborations with Unravelled Mind Studio and The Curious Project provided further opportunities for members to share their stories and talents.
Paul Jones, Senior Operations Manager for Community Services at Midland Mencap, said:
“This exhibition is about voice, visibility, and belonging. For too long, people with learning disabilities and autism have been excluded from cultural spaces. Here we proudly celebrate their creativity, talent, and vital place in Birmingham’s cultural life.”
Andrea Bonnell, Participation Manager, Birmingham Museums Trust, said:
“We’re so pleased to be able to host this exhibition at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery as part of our partnership with Midland Mencap”
“It’s a celebration of creativity, community and the stories that connect us and we are delighted to be able to share it with our visitors.”
“Our community display space only exists because of conversations had with groups like Midland Mencap and for this we are really grateful.”
The exhibition reflects Midland Mencap’s long-term commitment to ensuring that adults with learning disabilities and/or autism can access meaningful opportunities for self-expression, community connection, and cultural participation.
Exhibition Details:
Venue: Industrial Gallery, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH. Part of the Made in Birmingham exhibition.
Dates: Open now until 30th September
Admission: Free
About Midland Mencap
Midland Mencap is a leading charity in the West Midlands, supporting people with learning disabilities, their families and Carers to live happy, independent, and fulfilled lives through community activities, housing, care, and support services.
Birmingham Museums Trust is an independent charitable trust (no 1147014) formed in 2012 to care for over one million objects and nine museums. We share the city’s diverse collections, stories and spaces with the people of Birmingham and beyond thanks to regular funding from Birmingham City Council and Arts Council England, as well as the kind support of many individuals, companies and charitable trusts.
Henry Liggins runs The Curious Project, a social enterprise operating in and around Birmingham. Through it, he delivers several programmes, all of which use music and the creative arts to help people engage with creativity in an intentional way. Henry has worked in collaboration with Midland Mencap since 2021, delivering projects around poetry, visual arts, music performance and songwriting among other things.
Founded by local Birmingham Artist Charlotte Marler, Unravelled Mind Studio is a Birmingham based creative practice focused on blending mental health and art. We deliver therapeutic workshops that support emotional expression and wellbeing through activities. In partnership with Midland Mencap, we’ve developed inclusive, artist-led sessions that support individuals with learning disabilities to explore self-expression, develop confidence, and create work for this public exhibition.
Midland Mencap is delighted to announce that it has secured new funding for 12 months from Sport England to continue delivering its highly popular Inclusive Cycling Project, parkride.
This vital support will enable the charity to offer inclusive and adaptive cycling opportunities to individuals of all ages and abilities across the West Midlands region and surrounding areas.
The funding ensures that Midland Mencap can continue providing a safe, supportive, and fun environment for people to enjoy the benefits of cycling within their local communities. With a fleet of adapted and mainstream bikes, and a team of experienced staff, parkride removes barriers to cycling. It helps people get active, stay healthy, and connect with their local communities.
“We are thrilled to receive this support from Sport England. This investment builds on the project’s proven success in improving physical and mental wellbeing, reducing isolation, and encouraging long-term participation in sport and physical activity.” said Pam Johnson, Midland Mencap Community Operations Manager. “Cycling should be accessible for everyone. With this funding, we can expand our reach, improve access, and make sure that no one is left behind when it comes to enjoying the freedom and independence that cycling can bring.”
98% of parkride participants told us it had improved their health and wellbeing.Oliver Clayton, who regularly attends parkride sessions said:
“parkride is such great fun and I have cycled all over the West Midlands with their support”
Get involved:
Inclusive cycling sessions run weekly and are open to everyone.
Call to speak to one of the parkride team on 0121 442 2944.
At Midland Mencap, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do – and this #VolunteersWeek, we’ve had a brilliant time celebrating the difference they make every single day.
A Week of Thanks, Fun, and Community
Across the region, we’ve been showing our appreciation in lots of special ways:
Citizens got creative, making heartfelt thank-you cards and jars
Our team visited Worcester to talk about all the ways people can get involved
We shared inspiring stories about our volunteers and the huge impact they have
Each story was a powerful reminder that volunteering changes lives – not just for those supported, but for the volunteers too.
Meet a Few of Our Volunteer Heroes
We’re proud to shout out just a few of the incredible individuals who give their time and energy to Midland Mencap:
David, our Community Café cook, keeps everyone smiling with his delicious meals
Di Tate, our creative Activity Volunteer, brings colour and joy to every session
As part of #VolunteersWeek, we’re shining a spotlight on Di Tate, a retired special school leader whose warmth, creativity, and can-do spirit have made a huge impact at Midland Mencap. From art sessions to recording original songs with citizens, Di brings joy wherever she goes.
Darren, our Sport and Football Coach, inspires others to get active and build confidence through sport
And of course, a very special thank-you goes to Tessa Cole, our Volunteer Manager, whose passion and care have made this week truly memorable for everyone.
Get Involved
We couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers. If you’d like to find out how you can make a difference, visit our Volunteering page to learn more.
At Midland Mencap, our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do.
As part of Volunteer Week, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our incredible volunteers, Di Tate, whose passion and positivity brighten every session she attends.
From Special Education to Special Moments
Di began volunteering with us in September 2024 after retiring from her role as an assistant head at a local special school — a position she held for 42 years. Looking for a meaningful way to stay connected locally, she chose to get involved with Midland Mencap after having worked with us in the past.
“I thought I would enjoy being a small part of the amazing work at the Hub,” Di shared.
Getting Stuck In
Since joining, Di has thrown herself into all kinds of activities — from line dancing and art to bake-offs and leafleting. She’s also become a regular at our music and singing sessions, always ready to lend a hand wherever it’s needed.
One of her favourite memories? Helping Henry and a group of citizens write and record two original songs.
“It was an incredible afternoon at the MAC’s recording studio. Everyone was so proud of what they achieved – two amazing tracks filled with emotion and creativity.”
Why Di Recommends Volunteering
Di speaks passionately about the joy and fulfilment she’s found as a volunteer:
Flexible and rewarding
A warm, welcoming environment
The chance to meet inspiring people — both citizens and staff
Her message to anyone thinking about volunteering?
“Go for it – you’ll have an amazing time!”
Thank You, Di!
We’re so grateful to Di and all our volunteers for the time, energy, and care they give to our community. Your efforts make a real difference.
When Diahann first applied for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) several years ago, her application was sadly rejected. Feeling discouraged, she believed it wasn’t worth trying again. However, during a routine review of her support, her Lead Worker at Midland Mencap encouraged her to reconsider. He explained that she could be entitled to PIP and offered to support her through the process.
Full Support Every Step of the Way
Diahann’s Lead Worker helped her complete the PIP application, gather the necessary evidence, and prepare for the telephone assessment. Throughout, he made sure that Diahann fully understood each stage, helping her feel confident, calm, and well-prepared.
Although the process was lengthy, the effort paid off. Diahann was awarded enhanced rates for both daily living and mobility needs. She also received a £2,000 back payment, which has had a huge impact on her life.
A Life-Changing Result
The successful PIP award has lifted a great weight from Diahann’s shoulders. With the extra financial support, she now lives more comfortably and can apply for further help such as a Blue Badge. This will make it much easier for her to get out and about with her family, increasing her independence and quality of life.
Diahann said:
“I have been recently awarded PIP, I feel extremely happy as I didn’t think it would happen for me. This has been a huge help for me financially and Midland Mencap has supported me through everything.”
We are incredibly proud to have supported Diahann on her journey.
Today, Midland Mencap’s CEO Dave Rogers and Ashleigh Jones joined Kath Stanczyszyn on BBC Radio WM to discuss the Government’s proposed changes to welfare benefits, particularly concerning the Work Capability Assessment and Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
Dave highlighted the significant local impact these cuts could have in Birmingham and across the West Midlands, stating, “it’s broadly acknowledged that, living with a disability adds about £1000 a month to your general living costs any reduction in welfare benefits is going to have a really severe impact, on some of our most vulnerable citizens”
Ashleigh shared her personal experience of living with Cerebral Palsy and Autism, reflecting on the anxiety caused by the recent news: “I feel really lucky in the sense that I am able to work, obviously I’m really well supported within my place of work to be able to carry out my daily job, essentially. But, you know, even last night I genuinely couldn’t sleep on the basis of how much potentially this, this new PIP reform essentially is going to impact me financially, even though I am able to work.”
Midland Mencap trustee Nigel Smith recently shared his powerful journey on BBC’s Access All.
Diagnosed with bowel cancer nearly five years ago, Nigel credits his annual health checks as the key to early detection and successful treatment.
During the interview, Nigel spoke with host Emma about how his annual health checks involve meeting both a nurse and a doctor, ensuring plenty of time and clear explanations about what tests are being done. He emphasized the crucial role these checks played in discovering his cancer. Had it not been for one of these routine appointments, he may not have received the lifesaving treatment he needed in time. Nigel strongly believes that “everyone should have an annual health check,” underscoring the difference it made for his own well-being.
However, there is growing concern that the NHS has dropped its target to ensure 75% of people with learning disabilities receive an annual health check. Although the checks remain available, no fixed commitment to reach that 75% threshold currently exists. Nigel expressed worry that this could leave many people in the dark about potential health issues. For individuals with learning disabilities, having enough time, clear explanations, and follow-up appointments can be especially important.
At Midland Mencap, we remain committed to promoting awareness around annual health checks. If you, or someone you know, has a learning disability, we urge you to book these appointments. They truly can make all the difference.
If you would like support and advice around annual health checks you can call us on 0121 442 2944.
For the past three years, I’ve had the pleasure of supporting Janet, a wonderful individual with a passion for musicals. We’ve shared many memorable experiences, but none quite like our recent adventure. Janet was thrilled to attend “Hairspray” the musical, and this time, we decided to make it even more special by inviting her friend Helen to join us. Helen eagerly accepted our invitation, and the night turned into a magical experience.
For the first time, I witnessed both Janet and Helen dancing and singing together, their faces alight with joy. It was heartwarming to see them so happy, We were overjoyed to be part of such a special moment. Their laughter and excitement were contagious, and it reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring they have many more fun activities to look forward to.
Next on our agenda is “Elf the Musical”, and both Janet and Helen can hardly wait. We are excited to continue creating these joyful memories and spreading happiness through the magic of musicals.
