Are you looking for fun and exciting opportunities this summer?

The Children and Young Person’ Service are running brand new 3-day Kayaking programme from 17th-19th August 2017 for young people aged 11+. This exciting programme will provide each young person with a recognised qualification from British Canoeing. Young people will have the opportunity to fain experience on an indoor pool, outdoor pool at Sutton Park and a day trip along the canals. The three day course is £120 per person.

Ready, Steady, EAT!

We are really excited to be launching a new 6-week Cooking Programme, where young people aged 14+ will be able to learn and develop new skills and knowledge. We will be learning how to prepare food safely and how to create delicious meals and bakes. This course will be running from 7:45pm to 9pm at the Enterprise Hub starting on the 20th June 2017. By completing the course, the young people will receive a certificate with the skills listed that they have learnt. They will also get to take home their meals at the end of each session to enjoy with their family. The cost of programme will be £48 per person (£8 per session).

If you would like more information about these courses and information on how to book onto them then please get in touch by emailing Deborah.McGarvey@midlandmencap.org.uk or by ringing us in the office on 0121 256 1500.

Cycling days at Clifton Road

Families of adults and children with additional needs have been the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of a family day out cycling in the great outdoors thanks to an innovative new Midland Mencap and Birmingham Wheels for All initiative.

Over the last 18 months, Midland Mencap, in partnership with Birmingham Wheels for All, have hosted a total of 6 cycle days for adults with learning disabilities, children with additional needs, and their parents and siblings. By using specially adapted cycles and Wheels for All trained leaders, the activities are both physically and mentally stimulating, and fun for everyone involved.

Laura Gilmour, Health and Wellbeing Coordinator at Midland Mencap said, “For many families who have a loved one with additional needs, opportunities to take part in an activity together as a family can be few and far between. Our partnership with Birmingham Wheels for All is enabling children and adults with additional needs and all the family to enjoy the benefits of cycling, at any ability, in an inclusive and sociable environment. ”

So far this year, Midland Mencap have hosted 2 open cycling events and more have been scheduled to take place during the summer, giving even more families the opportunity to take part. While this project is primarily Birmingham-based at the moment, there are plans in the pipeline to also make inclusive cycling opportunities available to families further afield in future. Watch this space!

For more information about this exciting new initiative, contact the Midland Mencap Health and Wellbeing team on 0121 427 6404.