This week is #StudentVolunteeringWeek and here at Midland Mencap we’re celebrating the outstanding contribution of our 40-strong team of skilled and committed student volunteers.
As a Midlands-based charity, we are incredibly lucky to have some excellent higher education organisations right on our doorstep, including the University of Birmingham, Aston University, Newman University and Birmingham City University. Through their willingness to share and promote our voluntary opportunities, we have had the privilege of involving undergraduate and postgraduate students across a range of academic disciplines in a wide variety of voluntary roles.
Now, let me introduce you to some of these amazing student volunteers!
First meet Bethany:
A student at Newman University who is training to become a counsellor. Through her voluntary contribution as a Community Connections Volunteer, Bethany has given a Midland Mencap citizen the much-needed opportunity to get out and about in her community, have fun and do the things that make her happy. Whether it’s going bowling together, catching a bus into town or just hitting the shops, they always have a great time and Bethany has made a significant positive difference to that individual’s quality of life while also developing her own skills for her future career in counselling.
Next meet Simon:
A psychology student at Aston University and a qualified swimming teacher. With his excellent swimming skills, his calm and inclusive teaching style and his admirably responsible approach to volunteering, Simon is an absolutely fantastic Love to Swim Volunteer at our weekly swimming sessions for adults with learning disabilities. These sessions make such a positive difference to the participants’ health and wellbeing, and we are incredibly grateful to Simon for all his help and support.
And last – but definitely not least – meet Noureen:
A postgraduate student at the University of Birmingham who is currently studying for a Masters in Psychology. Noureen’s ambition is to work as an educational psychologist with children who have additional needs, and we feel very lucky that she has chosen to develop her skills and experience in this area by volunteering with the Midland Mencap Children and Young Persons’ team. By helping out as an Inclusive Play Volunteer at our weekly Tuesday Club, Noureen is making a brilliant contribution to the emotional and social development of the young people who attend by supporting them to socialise, have fun and try out new activities.
Thank you Bethany, Simon, Noureen and all of our other fabulous student volunteers – you guys rock!
If this blog has inspired you to volunteer with Midland Mencap (whether you’re a student or not!), you can find all of our current opportunities on the Do It website here.
-Hayley Stokes, Volunteer Coordinator-
Over the last three months I’ve been volunteering at Midland Mencap football sessions in Moseley. Over this time I’ve been able to witness the players grow as individuals and as a team.
One person who stood out to me was Bryn, who’s been training with Midland Mencap for over two years now. As a result it came as no surprise to hear that Bryn is an integral part of the teams’ starting line up. So when I asked what position he played he simply responded, “Wherever I’m needed”, in keeping with him and the teams’ positive attitude.
Bryn also mentioned, to my delight, that he felt the volunteers at the weekly football sessions provided meaningful support allowing him to talk confidently and compassionately to them should he have a problem.
Bryn continued, highlighting the importance the sessions have been in his development, stressing the significance the sessions have had on him socially and physically.
It’s evident that football has become an integral part of Bryn’s weekly routine, allowing him to meet people he may not have met otherwise. This is also what Bryn discussed being the best thing about football, with the social aspect allowing him to make key and meaningful relationships.
Daniel Twist, Volunteer Reporter
It’s Tuesday afternoon at the Enterprise Hub and that means ‘Just Desserts’ and the chance for young and not-so-young wannabe chefs to roll up their sleeves and contribute to the making of a sensational sweet treat. Today’s tasty challenge is to create a batch of chocolate brownies to rival those of Domestic Goddess, Nigella.
Kelly has been coming to the Hub for about five years. Spooning butter into a mixing bowl, she tells me she has made lots of new friends here. Eddie says he likes watching MasterChef and loves making chocolate brownies. Louise fills a cup with sugar and enjoys friendly banter with Kelly. Nagina has been coming for an impressive eight years. Her favourite food is chips.
Sam Budd drops an egg into butter and tells me he likes rhubarb crumble. A man of great ambition, Sam would like nothing more than to create a delicious dessert for Leona Lewis. Staff member Tess confirms that only a couple of people attended this class when it first began. Now around twenty people drop-in to hone their culinary skills. One great thing about Just Desserts is that participants can take the recipes home and practice and perfect their favourite items.
Samma is a big fan of The Great British Bake Off. Clearly a chocoholic, she has made chocolate cake and chocolate muffins in the past. Samma is happy to come to the Hub, chat with her friends, and wait patiently for her hard work to emerge from the oven.
You can expect something spooky if you dare to approach Just Desserts at Halloween. Go there at Christmas and you’ll find glorious festive favourites. Thoughts are now turning to Valentine’s Day. So what will it be: Pink and red cookies? Sweet romantic cupcakes? Can’t wait to find out!
Tim Wright, Volunteer Reporter.
Midland Mencap are exceptionally proud to be partners of Inclusion International, Inclusion Europe and Mencap in delivering the 17th World Congress from the 30th May – 1st June 2018 in Birmingham.
The theme of the World Congress is Learn, Inspire, Lead and will be the largest gathering of self-advocates, families, friends and supporters, in the world. You can be there too at this truly global event, Join us and add your voice; share your experience, and be part of a movement for change. See you in Birmingham!
Why not come to this years World Congress? Click to learn more!
BREAKING NEWS:
Midland Mencap is delighted to confirm that the members of Coventry Mencap have voted unanimously to join with Midland Mencap.
This is an exciting time to be working together in Coventry with the city becoming City of Culture in 2021.
We will now start to consult with learning disabled citizens, family carers and new partners in Coventry as we seek to build on the legacy of Coventry Mencap. We will recruit experienced staff to support planned developments in the city as well as ensure existing community support groups continue.
We will officially takeover on the 25th March but are now working with our friends in Coventry to make sure the transition to Midland Mencap is as smooth as possible.
If you like more information please call 0121 442 2944
For many charities, including a significant number in Birmingham and across the West Midlands the back pay liability runs to tens of thousands of pounds. Most of these organisations they neither have the reserves or income to make provision in their budget setting. This is not scaremongering, without urgent Government intervention large parts of the social care sector will collapse.
We need to #StopTheSleepInCrisis now.
Where:
Frank Chapman Centre, Bewdley.
Who:
Ages 11+
Cost:
£150 per person.
We are very excited to offer this residential opportunity during the May Half Term at the Frank Chapman Centre in
Bewdley. You will be staying in spacious dormitories and taking part in a variety of activities including archery, bush-crafts and climbing and many more.
The price includes all meals and activities and can be paid in installments if needed.
For more information and an application form please email
Deborah.Mcgarvey@midlandmencap.org.uk or ring 0121 256 1500
Midland Mencap is proud to offer you the opportunity to race in the Run Sutton Park 1k, 5k or 10k on behalf of our fantastic local charity.
The cost to register for this event is £5 for the 1K, £ 10 for the 5k and 10k for full deatils about the day vist the Mencap website click here.
Midland Mencap is a charity which works and campaigns for accessible and inclusive services and a better quality of life for everyone with experience of learning disabilities and additional needs. We are one of the region’s leading learning disability charities with a strong, respected and established reputation for excellence and innovation. You can find out more about us by visiting our website.
Interested?
We are now accepting registrations from runners who would like to fundraise for our charity on Saturday 13th October All we are asking is that you try your best to raise £100 on behalf of Midland Mencap.
To register to Run, jog or walk for Midland Mencap please call 0121 442 2944 or email info@midlandmencap.org.uk
Once registered we will send you information about setting up your fundraising page on Virgin Giving or on Facebook.
Midland Mencaps response to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond’s recent statement to the Treasury Select Committee. Hammond was answering a question about the cause of poor productivity in the economy. He disgracefully implied that the UK’s poor productivity levels were the result of disabled people in the workforce.
Hammond said ‘It is almost certainly the case that by increasing participation in the workforce, including higher participation by marginal groups and very high levels of engagement in the workforce, for example disabled people – something we should be extremely proud of – may have had an impact on overall productivity measurements.’
Chief Executive of Midland Mencap, Dave Rogers said:
‘This is an unbelievable and exceptionally derogatory comment from the Chancellor. It’s an overt insult to individuals who work hard and make a significant contribution in the workplace. Disabled workers face many barriers to gaining and sustaining work and to suggest this, for which there’s no evidence at all, risks perpetuating the view of employers that it is not worth employing disabled people because they will impact on work place performance. The Chancellor should issue a full apology and withdraw the comments without reservation. It once again brings into question the Governments policy and moral commitment to disabled citizens.
Other responses:
On Sunday 3rd, Midland Mencap held their Weoley Winterland in their Enterprise Hub. It was an event for every one of all ages, from those at Mencap to their families and locals alike!
The festive stalls included arts & crafts, a tombola, a raffle, a cake sale, the fantastic Sing and Sign choir and Santa’s workshop – it’s safe to say there was plenty for everyone to do, no matter their age or interests.
I volunteered on the Arts & Crafts stall, making Christmas tree decorations out of painted lollipop sticks, pipe cleaners, pompoms and string. There were some impressive trees decorations crafted and it was great to meet people of all ages – from tiny children to the elderly and I was overjoyed by their enthusiasm. The eagerness of all the volunteers and staff in making the event a success was infectious. It was truly rewarding and I recommend volunteering at these events wholeheartedly.
With over 120 people attending and £402.63 raised for the charity, it was hugely successful and the atmosphere was wonderful. It really felt like Christmas had come and I’m looking forward to more events like this as it was an impressive turnout, a lot of fun and all for important causes!
– Kat, Reporter Volunteer –