Midland Mencap is a charity that campaigns for accessible and inclusive services and a better quality of life for everyone experiencing learning disabilities and additional needs. They are one of the region’s leading learning disability charities with a strong reputation for excellence and innovation. As an organisation they pride themselves on being creative and flexible in providing holistic support and responding to the needs of citizens, their families and carers.
Dave Pickard, Head of Community Operations shared:
‘in response to COVID-19, Midland Mencap have been providing regular inbound and outbound ‘safe and well’ calls, to ensure individuals are safe, have the right resources, have regular contact with others and are signposted to other organisations where relevant. We are currently making over 1000 calls a week to the most vulnerable people with learning disabilities’.
Midland Mencap offer online sessions via their social media channels with activities ranging from self-care and physical activities to creating routines and skill-based sessions. They are hosting virtual health and wellbeing group-based sessions using Zoom video conferencing to help increase emotional resilience. They also conduct ‘Adult Wellbeing Sessions’ to offer 1:1 support to high risk citizens that access their community services. Activities include cycling and arts and crafts.
Midland Mencap have also created at home ‘activity packs’ which are sent to people upon request.
‘We have also been successful in a grant from Birmingham City Council, and with this money we will be able to provide tablets for people so that they can access our online content. Please contact the helpline if you are interested.’
When reflecting on the wider #BrumTogether community efforts, Dave shared:
‘I think it’s amazing at how many people are creatively offering services for the most vulnerable citizens of the West Midlands.‘
Our Befriending service is available to everyone who may be feeling concerned or lonely, or simply in need of a friendly chat. If you would like to speak to someone from our team then please get in touch with us through this form or by calling us on 0121 728 7030.
For access to more local services head to our directory where you can search by location and type of service.
Got a positive story to tell? We’d love to hear from you! We’re really proud of our communities and want to help tell your stories… If you have a positive or uplifting story you want to share, or know of someone who should to be publicly thanked for the work they’re doing, you can do so by posting directly to the BrumTogether Facebook page, through the form here, or by using the hashtag #brumtogether in your public social media posts.
