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.
Here are all the opening times over Christmas and the new year for Alcester Road (Head Office), The Enterprise Hub and The Walsall Disability Hub.
Alcester Road (Head Office):
ClosedMonday
ClosedTuesday
Open Wednesday and Thursday 8am – 5pm
Open Friday 8am – 4pm
The Enterprise Hub:
Open Wednesday 27th December 10am-4pm
Closed Thursday 28th December ( Children and Young Persons using building)
Open Friday 29th December 10-3pm
Open Tuesday 2nd January 9.45am-4pm
Closed Wednesday 3rd January ,but there is a community activity – Black Horse Pub 11am-2pm
Open Thursday 4th January 10am-6pm
Closed 5th January, but Community activity – 10.30am-2.30pm Sports Day, Woodcock Street
The Walsall Disability Hub:
ClosedMonday
ClosedTuesday
Open Wednesday and Thursday 9.30am – 5pm
Open Friday 9.30am – 2.30pm
STAFF ADVERSE WEATHER UPDATE:
The adverse weather means that travelling will once again be difficult. Most main routes, including bus routes are now clear so for tomorrow the following applies:
• We will again operate our offices & hubs as normal, so if you are OFFICE BASED and it safe for you to do so please attend for work. However, if it is not safe to drive, use public transport or walk to work please advise your line manager of alternative working arrangements or requests for emergency annual leave
• Office based staff can work from any of our sites at Alcester Road, The Enterprise Hub or The Walsall Hub which will be open as normal
• Colleagues from Housing with Care & Support will be advised of arrangements via their line manager to ensure they and vulnerable citizens are fully supported
• Non-housing care & Support staff can also volunteer to support colleagues in our care & support services who may have been in situ all weekend or short staffed as a consequence of the weather. If you feel you could go on emergency stand-by please e-mail Chris.Haines@midlandmencap.org.uk or David.Bird@midlandmencap.org.uk directly
I would once again like to take this opportunity to thank all of our care & support staff who have either stayed at work, walked to work or have been on-call to ensure all vulnerable citizens have been kept safe over this exceptionally challenging weekend. Every single citizen received the care and support they would get under normal circumstances!
Travel safely and please ensure you advise your line manager of your whereabouts and arrangements for Tuesday
Thank you
Dave Rogers
CEO
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL MIDLAND MENCAP STAFF:
Following BCC’s decision to close all schools and day centres we recognise this does cause issues across our staff teams. Therefore, for tomorrow (Monday) these are our arrangements:
• We will attempt to operate our offices & hubs as normal, so if you are OFFICE BASED and it safe for you to do so please endeavor to attend for work. However, if it is not safe to drive, use public transport or walk to work please advise your line manager of alternative working arrangements or requests for emergency annual leave
• Office based staff can work from any of our sites at Alcester Road, The Enterprise Hub or The Walsall Hub
• Colleagues from Housing with Care & Support will be advised this afternoon of arrangements to ensure we fully them and support vulnerable citizens
• Non-housing care & Support staff can also volunteer to support colleagues in our care & support services who may have been in situ all weekend or short staffed as a consequence of the weather. If you feel you could go on emergency stand-by please e-mail Chris.Haines@midlandmencap.org.uk or David.Bird@midlandmencap.org.uk directly
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our care & support staff who have either stayed at work, walked miles to work or have been on-call to ensure all vulnerable citizens have been kept safe over this exceptionally challenging weekend. Outstanding commitment for which we’re very grateful.
Travel safely if you are able to do so and please ensure you advise your line manager of your whereabouts and arrangements for tomorrow
Thank you
Dave Rogers
CEO
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: