Mobirise

The voice of learning disability

We hope that you will look at what we have done and feel free to comment on what you would like to see on these pages.
To contact us please use the enquiry form at the bottom of the page.

About Us

The Committee: 

Chair-person: Barbara Thorn 
Vice Chair: Beverley Sutton 
Secretary: Sue Prentice 
Treasurer: Sue Prentice


Ron Daley 
Martin Turner
Tony Houghton
John Stevens
Wendy Andrews
Margaret Woods
Ian Dunstan
Caz & Craig Vinyard-Harding

IPSWICH MENCAP is affiliated to the Royal Society:
THE FIVE AIMS OF THE SOCIETY
Working with the Royal Society we will:
1) Fight for change and understanding.
2) Support people in the MENCAP 'community' and beyond.
3) Be the most trusted source of information for people with a learning disability and their carers.
4) Provide high quality practical support services.
5) Give people the tools to realise their potential.


    

IPSWICH MENCAP is a totally independent charity although affiliated to the Royal Society. We have are a voluntary organisation with a 62 year history formed in 1960 by a group of volunteer parents, all of whom have children with learning disabilities. It became increasingly apparent that there was a need for support within the Ipswich area. The group has gone from strength to strength and now boasts some 250 members. Thousands of people with learning disabilities don't get the same rights and chances as other people. These and the people who support them are being let down by society. WITH YOUR HELP WE WILL FIGHT FOR CHANGE!

Ipswich Mencap charity registration number: 1185063

To follow us on Facebook please click on the link below.

Ipswich Mencap Community Carers Drop-In


Ipswich Mencap appreciates that caring for someone can be hard work and also very isolating. Not many people know we are here to help, listen and hopefully offer support.

With this in mind we are going to be running a social group to give people opportunities to share their experiences, ideas, make friends and support each other without being put on the spot.

The group is open to anyone, all are welcome, this is your opportunity to come together.

For more information please contact me.

Sponsors

Our present supporters are:-

REM Publishing
Kesgrave Social Club
Tesco Stores Ipswich
Asda Stores Ipswich



Morrisons Ipswich
Leading Lives
Sainsburys, Hadleigh Road

Campaign


February 2023
Ipswich Mencap launched their campaign to 'Sponsor A Brick'. With times changing rapidly the society recognises they need to move forward if we want to continue our support to our members and the wider community. Ipswich Mencap launched their sponsor a brick campaign to raise money for a new low level access building to replace the present property Burgess House. In total around £3.5m is required to achieve the goal.

The present building is old and whilst lovely and will always have a special place in our hearts but is no longer fit for purpose. There is no lift and no en suite bathrooms. The corridors are narrow and winding which are not really suitable for the larger wheelchairs.  
The building is an old Victorian property which has had extensive refurbishments over many years but we have exhausted the possibilities of doing more,

The new build would be more like a hotel with easier access, en suite rooms and a wider variety of choice of things to do and will be on one level. It will be a place where people will want to return.

We are asking people and local companies to please sponsor a brick to help us achieve our goal. To help us get this up and running within the next eighteen (18) months. We need to continue the vital support offered to the many people and families we do at present whilst encouraging new ones along.

People who sponsor will have their names on a roll of honour which will be placed somewhere within the building. The exact place will be decided nearer completion. 
Donating is easy and you can do so by pressing the donate button on the introductory page of this web site. Or by adding your name to the sponsor forms around the town and with our committee or by sending a cheque to Ipswich Mencap. Burgess House 236 Felixstowe Road IP3 9AD. 

Sponsor a Brick
The sponsor a brick campaign is very slow and with a lack of support from the community we do worry if we will ever be able to achieve our goal.
The Trustees and Committee are still pushing forward with the idea but of course we would like your ideas and feedback. 
If there is any building firm who is prepared to sponsor us to undertake the work whilst money is still being raised it would be wonderful. Please do contact me via the enquiry form. 


Please click on the image below to make a donation

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Burgess House

Become an Ipswich Mencap member

Please click on one of the buttons below to download a family membership form

Events Calendar

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Christmas party booking form

Please click on one of the buttons below to download a Christmas party booking form

Situations Vacant


YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
Would you be interested in becoming a volunteer and helping a local charity? IPSWICH MENCAP is a local charity supporting local people. We have a 59 year history of support in the community. We are looking for new people to help make a difference to the the lives of people with a learning disability. We are looking for a treasurer, gardeners, fund raisers, help to run social clubs and have a voice on the committee every six weeks to help make a difference. No training is required just common sense and a need to make a difference. DBS checks taken and out of pocket expenses paid. Can you spare a few hours a week? Are you the person we are looking for or have you retired and want to keep your mind active? Have you got what it takes, have compassion and understanding? If this is you then contact us for a chat, help us to make a difference. For More information Contact Barbara 07766 103563
ARE YOU READY FOR A CHALLENGE?
DO YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT?
WHY NOT SUPPORT IPSWICH MENCAP BY DOING SOMETHING SPECIAL.
Click here for details

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

Ipswich Mencap are always looking for volunteers to support our charity. We do not have paid staff but if you are keen to help support our members and help with fund raising then contact me Barbara Thorn 01473 437241. In addition to the society we are always looking for new darts players/teams. The darts league play a local league throughout the year and in the process raise money for projects within the society. CAN YOU HELP PLEASE? All members for the society will be DBS checked because we are working with vulnerable people.
Please note:-
Anyone willing to volunteer whilst looking for paid employment will have a reference to add to their CV.



News


Ipswich Mencap became a 'CIO' (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) in 2021.
This will give the charity more scope in giving support to the members and the wider community. It will also protect the trustees of the charity should any problems arise in the future.
Our aim at present is to raise £3.5m for a new purpose built more appealing respite unit in the grounds of Burgess House. Raising this amount of money is a daunting task for any charity.
It is a necessity to safe guard the respite for future generations.

Mencap Darts


IPSWICH MENCAP DARTS LEAGUE
The committee consists of:-
Mrs Wendy Andrews (Chairman / League), Mrs Barbara Thorn  (Secretary/Treasurer), Matthew Plumb (Competitions),
Kelly Leitch.

ABOUT THE DARTS LEAGUE
In 1967 the IPSWICH MENCAP DARTS LEAGUE was formed and became the main vehicle for the societies fund raising. By means of collections and various fund raising idea's through out the year the Darts League provide Ipswich MENCAP with a lump sum once a year.

ON GOING SUPPORT
We are in-debted to the wonderful on going support that we receive from the Ipswich Mencap Darts League who continue to provide us with funds through the great work of the League Committee and the participating teams.

To follow us on Facebook please click on the link below.

Orwell Mencap Genesis


Orwell Mencap Genesis is a local charity. Through the Genesis services they provide personalised services supporting people
with disabilities and their families and carers.
The services include a wide range of activities both at Wright Road and in the community.
They also run holidays clubs for children using the facilities at Thomas Wolsey School in Ipswich.
They also run social enterprises that include the manufacture of our Genesis Garden Furniture and the Green Bike Project.
You can find information on all the services and activities on the website www.orwellmencap.co.uk

Genesis Site:
 6 Wright Road, Ipswich  IP3 9JG 
Tel: 01473 723888  Email: info@orwellmencap.co.uk 
Charity No. 1117888  Company No. 5984331

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Links


AVENUES EAST (FORMALLY OPTUA)
Ipwich Mencap have good ties with Avenues East and are happy to support them at some of their events. Want to know more about the work they do and how they offer support to people with disabilities or just want to know what events they have on offer then visit their website www.avenuesgroup.org.uk

IPSCENE
Ipscene is a local information centre with over 100 pages of things to do or be involved in. Whatever your looking for markets, boot sales, festivals, rallies shows clubs and much more. Why not check it out or give Trudy a call. Contact: Trudy McGarvey 07747 058949 or http://www.ipscene.co.uk

KESGRAVE SOCIAL CLUB
The club has supported Ipswich Mencap & Mencap Darts since it began almost sixty (60) years ago. Check out their website www.kesgravesocialclub.co.uk  for all the local info on entertainment, darts, snooker and much more.

LEADING LIVES
12 Great Whip Street, Ipswich IP2 8EZ. Leading Lives is a non - profit Social Enterprise. They provide various types of care and support across Suffolk. including domiciliary care, short break services, day services and supported living.
For full details of the services check out the website www.leadinglives.org.uk

PAUL CHILVERS GRAPHIC DESIGN
A complete web design service for small businesses. We can register your domain name and design, host and maintain your site providing you with an effective web presence. Contact Paul: 01449 766612 Email: design@paulchilvers.co.uk or visit www.paulchilvers.co.uk

RE-CREATE SOCIAL ENTERPRISES LTD
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Unit 14 – 15 Rapier Street, Ipswich IP2 8JX
Re-Create Social Enterprises Ltd is an accredited service provider with Suffolk County Council. It is a self-funding not for profit organisation. They offer therapeutic work based activities for learning disabled and disadvantaged people, including placements for E4L and PFS Learners.
Check out their website www.recreate-enterprise.co.uk to see more information.

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Make a Donation


It is easy to make a donation to help support our charity.
You can do this by making a BACS payment through your bank ( sort code: 30 98 97 account no: 46984462 ) or by cheque or cash.
Please telephone Barbara on 07766 103563 for details.