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.
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.
We are looking for new Trustees to join our existing board and work alongside our skilled, experienced, and talented leadership team to help steer the charity through a time of change, growth, and organisational development.
We want trustees who will share their skills and experience appropriately, through communication with staff and other trustees.
This is an opportunity to bring your knowledge and expertise to our management committee, to contribute to the direction of Midland Mencap and help in the board’s decision making.
We are looking for trustees with expertise in areas such as third sector, PR, fundraising, marketing, finance, management and law, although this is not vital. This is a great opportunity to gain experience at board level, to network and for personal and professional development.
Listen to yesterday’s Sunny and Shay’s BBC WM show where Dave Rogers (Midland Mencap CEO), Paul Jones (Operations Manager for Family Carers Information Service) and Chris Proctor (Town Hall Symphony Hall) talk about the real impact Sunday’s event has for family Carers in Birmingham.
Powering into Queen Alexandra College on ‘Superhero Day,’ I was impressed to see an assembly of young marvels engrossed in a variety of activities. Monitoring the scene from mid-point was Big Robot Head, an immense technological skull brought to life by staff and superkids in a display of fearless innovation. AbdAllah was getting busy with the Hulk and looking forward to some serious gym-time. Also on the menu was the development of some out-of-this-world ice cream.
“It’s nice for the young people to get used to different surroundings, beyond the Hub and Clifton Road,” said facilitator Shereen. “We can bring beanbags in from other venues and have a bit of a chillout room.” Shereen is a full-time primary school teacher who finds wonderment in her Midland Mencap role. “It’s an amazing job, meeting so many different young people, watching them explore new activities and try new things.”
The sun splashes golden light onto Harborne, and Emillie walks into the college grounds with her computer tablet. She sits on a bench and scrolls through her photos. Happy and animated, her dark hair shines. “Emillie has come on a bundle,” says supporter Claire. “She didn’t want anybody to be around her, or near her. She’s alright with the other young people now.” Not even notorious party pooper The Joker could steal the delight from Emillie’s heart. She’s found fun and she ain’t about to let go.
George walks through the college grounds for no better reason than to meet the heat and ensure the safety of the local populace. Half-term activity days at Mencap are always super fun. The options are vast. The young people can get active or they can relax and enjoy their colourful surroundings. All things considered, I’m mighty glad I flew in for today’s session.
-Tim Wright, Volunteer Reporter-
The Trustee Boards of both Midland Mencap and Birmingham Multi-Care are delighted to announce that the two organisations have agreed to work together with the acquisition of Birmingham Multi-Care Services by Midland Mencap.
Going forward, and prior to a full merger Birmingham Multi-Care Services will continue to operate as a subsidiary of Midland Mencap.
Chief Executive of Midland Mencap, Dave Rogers said “Ahead of the future merger of the two organisations we’re looking forward to working with colleagues at Birmingham Multi-Care to ensure the citizens and their families currently using Multi-Care support services benefit from the two organisations working together”.
For more information about Midland Mencap please visit our website home page.
On Saturday 23rd June the members of Coventry Mencap held a celebration party to reflect on decades of family carer activism in the city as they marked their merger with Midland Mencap. It was fitting that so many of the family carers were present who had campaigned and fought for theirs and their children’s rights in education, inclusion, and equality. Coventry Mencap will leave a lasting legacy, wonderfully captured in photographs, of a group of families who worked tirelessly for the inclusion of people with a learning disability in the wider community life of the city.
Martin Gallagher, Chair of Midland Mencap, took the opportunity in welcoming Coventry Mencap to Midland Mencap by saying “Coventry Mencap were one of the more active local groups in the West Midlands region, their work in providing leisure opportunities for people with a learning disability at the time”. One example of this is the long association with the Scouting movement and the opportunity every year to take part in the now legendary camps, packed with fun activities come rain or shine!
Martin went on to say “Though the world has changed the activities of Coventry Mencap provided the base for those changes, getting people with a learning disability out into the community, mixing with the community and been seen as part of the community”. These were sentiments echoed by Councillor Faye Abbott, Cabinet Lead for Social Care at Coventry Council, and by Tina Costello, CEO of Heart of England Community Foundation, both of whom have a long and very supportive relationship with Coventry Mencap. They both shared memories of working with Coventry Mencap to broaden opportunities for learning disabled citizens in the city and how they now look forward to working with Midland Mencap to do the same.
Brian Hinde, outgoing Chair of Coventry Mencap, delivered a very emotional and reflective speech charting the many successes of Coventry Mencap over the years, reasons for the merger with Midland Mencap and his hopes and aspirations for the future. Picking up on Brian’s evocative words Martin Gallagher added “This may seem as a moment of sadness for some people but I hope you won’t harbour that view for long as I like to see this as a rebirth and I hope that Coventry Mencap as is will want to work with us in the future to develop services and community activities that will extend the influence of the organisation throughout the city”.
In deciding to merge with Midland Mencap the Trustees at Coventry recognised that the world was changing rapidly and to ensure people with a learning disability in the city continued to have their voice heard merging with a larger organisation with paid staff who could work with all stakeholders in extending co-produced opportunities for people with a learning disability.
Martin picked this theme up in his closing comments “We need the members too, because parent carers and people with a learning disability who use services are the best people to consult when you’re developing services. Nobody is better placed to ask as to what they want than the person who’s receiving it, co-produced with the people and giving them something they want, it’s their life”.
The party was a wonderful occasion, perfectly bringing to a close the chapter written by the members of Coventry Mencap and turning the page to a very optimistic future as part of Midland Mencap. Martin’s final words applauded the work they did over 60 years of activism in Coventry, “It’s been a privilege to work with and support Coventry Mencap, with Brian, Jill and Clare. We had good fun and achieved some great work together”.
Congratulations to everyone involved with Coventry Mencap, lets now go forward together.
