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Patrons:Lady Hamilton of Dalzell

Rob Marris

Lifelong President: Margaret Polack

Chairman: Tony Chilvers

Vice Chairman: Mary Solomon

Treasurer and Secretary: Gerald Peters

Assistant Treasurer: Jill Hepwood

Administrator: Sue Cockhill

Executive Committee Members:Pam Bhogal, Pauline Davies, June Hunt, Bill Laybourne

Trudy O’Hara, Sophie Roberts, Jacky Silvester and Jan Vanstone

Registered Office:Glyn Bank, 13 Lloyd Street, Wolverhampton WV6 0RL

Telephone: 01902 744969 (answerphone facility) or mobile 07834 237 712email to wolvesmencap@gmail.comwww.mencapwolverhampton.org.uk

Registered Charity No 701532 and Limited Company 2329515

Mencap Wolverhampton is a local group affiliated to (Royal) Mencap. Our main task is to press for and to secure improvements in services for all with learning disabilities, their parents and carers. We also aim to provide them with support, guidance and social and recreational activities, outings, training and transport. Wolverhampton Gateway is part of Mencap Wolverhampton and we also regularly support Wolverhampton Special Olympics and Skills for Life. As you will appreciate all this takes a considerable amount

of support, money and co-ordination.

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Chairman’s Reportby Tony Chilvers

Best wishes for 2018 to all members and friends of MENCAP WOLVERHAMPTON. We are experiencing a period of much turbulence, so please fasten your seat belts !!

*There have been some lovely high points with our Special Olympics team competing at the National Summer Games in Sheffield in August 2017. This year we hope our table tennis players will be competing in the Anniversary Games in Stirling, Scotland. Well done to ALL members of Special Olympics and helpers. A special WELL DONE to Jacky Silvester who has been awarded VOLUNTEER of the YEAR AWARD by the Wolverhampton City Sports Advisory Council.

**The Gateway Club runs at full membership with many exciting activities including visits to the Towers Outdoor Education Centre, Panto time at the Birmingham Hippodrome, Horse riding at Gartmore Riding School, and many, many other social events. Our thanks to Beckminster Church for our use of their Church hall every Friday evening and also a big THANK YOU to Gateway Leader, Trudy O’Hara and all the volunteer helpers who attend every Friday evening and also who organise and accompany many of the outings.

***The Gateway to Work Project delivered by GoodLife on behalf of Mencap has been ongoing since October 2016. The Project has been very successful and the majority of participants have made significant progress. Please read further information in both the Year Book and the Mencap Newsletter. My thanks to the GoodLife Project Directors, Helen Garbett, Bill Laybourne and Gateway member Andy Howell. We will be planning further partnership projects to extend the range of experiences and skills.

****Our social events and fundraising activities have been really enjoyable. We have found some new members and supporters who have attended some of the events throughout the year. Lively Quiz Nights at the ECC Club - thank you to the ECC management for allowing us to use their venue - and with yours truly and team collecting the PRIZE for the LOWEST score. I think I must have been feeling poorly, unless a mistake was made adding up my team score Mr. and Mrs. Pentecost!!!

There have been lovely Party nights at Beckminster Hall and Music and Dancing at Linden House. Many more FUN NIGHTS to be planned for the future.

The TURBULENCE we have been experiencing since June 2017 has been caused by the closure of Glyn Bank for refurbishment work to be undertaken by ACCORD as they no longer wish to use the building. Mencap were expecting ACCORD to have completed the work at the latest by Christmas 2017, but there is still much work to do. This situation is causing members much disruption and disappointment.

As the song goes, ‘ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE’ and this is what I think we should do.

Finally a big THANK YOU to our Executive Committee members, our Patrons and our voluntary helpers for their unceasing contribution year after year. A big THANK YOU to Sue Cockhill who has settled into her role as Mencap Administrator. You are doing a grand job Sue.

Working together we can make this another year of achievement and success.

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Patron’s ReportOh dear. I blinked, and suddenly another year has disappeared! It was a very important year for me. In May 2017 there was a General Election. I chose not to be a candidate. So I am no longer your MP. It was an easy decision for me to retire. I am 62. Usually there is an election every 5 years. I did not want to carry on being an MP until I am 67. In addition, all they ever seem to talk about in Parliament is Brexit. That is a very important issue, but it is also very boring!

My home is in Wolverhampton. For over 30 years my wife Julia and I have been happily living in a lovely terraced house in Penn Fields. It is a 3 minute walk from Beckminster. I am mostly retired. That means that I have more time for having fun. To try to get fitter, I’m doing more walking and bicycling.

Adults with learning disabilities should be helped to live with dignity and self-respect, as independently as possible. Unfortunately, this government is continuing to cut DWP Benefits. That’s a shame. Those cuts are creating problems for many Mencap members. For example, there are lots more jobs now. The government should provide more help to adults with learning disabilities, so that they have a fair chance of getting a job.

It’s going to be an important year for Mencap Wolverhampton. I am hoping that Glynn Bank can be used in way which helps all of us. So we may see different services available to members. We can leave those decisions to the clever people on the Mencap Wolverhampton Committee!

I enjoy my visits to the Gateway Club. Recently, I went to a bingo session for the first time. Great fun.

Rob Marris

Lunchtime Link-UpA group of parents/carers of people with Learning Difficulties, members of Mencap Wolverhampton and friends, has continued to meet on a monthly basis to have a drink, a meal and, most importantly, a chat and exchange news and views. This group has settled down to meeting on the first Thursday of the month, alternatively at the Codsall and Wergs Garden Centre and The Pavilion at Goodyear. All Mencap members are welcome, just contact Sophie Roberts or Sue Cockhill to book your place.

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Wolverhampton Volunteer of the Year AwardWolverhampton Mencap’s Executive Committee Member and Special Olympics’ Jacky Silvester was named Wolverhampton Volunteer of the Year Award by Wolverhampton Sports Advisory Council for her unceasing hard work and dedication to providing a variety of opportunities for those disadvantaged in the city.

Here Jacky receives her prestigious award from Councillor Steve Evans.

Well done Jacky!

Old Tree Nursery 2017-18Old Tree is a plant nursery that provides opportunity to people from all back grounds. We offer experiences in horticulture, craft/arts, customer service, food preparation, animal skills and so much more.

What an amazing year Old Tree had in 2017! Our team members found themselves challenged on more than one occasion- but each time they came up with the goods.

2017 saw Old Tree receive ‘Charity of the Year’ status from a couple of large local businesses and their fundraising throughout the year supported our on-going work.

Our amazing Treehouse facility enabled Old Tree to provide events and functions throughout the year and this meant our team members could get more hands on experience in customer service and food prep both at internal and external events. A selection of children’s parties, corporate training/events and afternoon tea parties kept everyone busy whatever the weather.

Verity Steele

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Easter saw an increase in public footfall as people visited our delightful daffodil and snowdrop woodlands and made use of our safe outdoor play.

Summer welcomed a sponsored walk for our team members around our neighbours at the nature reserve and fundraising a terrific amount of money!

We also held our annual summer fair which (for once) had glorious sunshine, alongside all our normal attractions. Our team members enjoyed being able to not only participate on the day, but play a part in the organisation and planning. The summer holidays welcomed our family cookery

programme and teddy bears picnics (held weekly) and ever popular with the younger children.

As summer moved along our team members were out and about

on a wonderful canal boat ride (thanks to Wildside) and attended the West Midlands Flower Show, taking much of our work with our craft and horticultural teams to display and compete.

Our team members also competed in our annual ‘Bake off’ competition, producing some amazing work and winning a trophy!

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The end of summer welcomed 5 piggies to Old Tree. These were a purchase to enable our team members some hands on animal husbandry training and complimented the other animals already on site. They were an instant hit and became a popular feature at Old Tree.

Our new ‘Community Restaurant’ opened. This facility provided a larger space for both our customers and our team members to develop their customer service skills. It continues to provide opportunity alongside affordable food and drink.

Halloween Spooktacular and our ever popular Elf Academy saw the end of the year in. These events providing crafts and fun for children from the local area whilst providing yet more amazing opportunities for our team members to explore their skills and talents.

January 2018 saw Old Tree deliver its most adventurous event to host 100 guests in a marquee with 3 course meal. Yet again our team members stepped up to the mark- facing the challenge head on and delivering amazing (and quick) customer service which was remarked on and will hopefully lead to future projects.

In 2018 Old Tree has lots of exciting plans to develop our site and what we can offer further. Every day is different and just being in the 5.5 acre site, surrounded by the natural beauty and seasonal changes can be inspiring and therapeutic. We have met lots of new team members over the past 12 months who are welcomed and quickly become part of our team.

We work hard, but we play hard too. We always need new team members and volunteers so please come and say hello or get in contact.

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Wolverhampton Gateway Clubby Trudy O’Hara

Hearing our mobile phones ping and buzz with emails and text messages has become a way of life. Generally speaking we may not always feel well-disposed towards this constant flow of communication but it is a clear indication of the huge number of contacts that we have built up; both as individuals in our private lives and as members of a large and diverse organisation such as Wolverhampton Gateway. In the early days of smartphones the list of contacts on any one of our phones may well have been restricted to friends and family. Now the lists of contacts on members of staffs’ phones would rival that of the City Council. Having good connections is, of course, a double-edged sword and it is possible to feel that the ‘office’ is always open for both callers and recipients.

Keeping contact details close to hand is, in fact, an indication of how much we need the services and the friendship of other organisations. They are our partners and we would not be able to function without them. In any given week staff might be in touch with Ring and Ride (probably a constant flow of information and requests throughout the week), Hills Coaches, Beckminster Church, Walsall Council, Towers Outdoor Education Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Gartmore Riding School,

Goodlife, the ECC Club, Mencap Executive Committee members and many, many more organisations.

There is also constant electronic traffic between individuals (parents, carers and members) and Gateway staff; particularly since we have been stimulated by the European Social Fund and its demands for paperwork, identification documents, targets and assessments. Several Gateway members have groaned at the thought of yet another set of papers to sign and it has been good to know that they, or their parents or carers, have

been on the other end of a phone, text or email when we have needed just one more bit of information for the form.

Best of all are the messages about preparation for celebrations. This year was a special birthday for Paul Crook. His mum, Shirley, made good use of all of her contacts to organise a great party for him.

Good contacts, good communication, good friendships. It may be a case of ‘open all hours’ but this is surely the mark of a good club.

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Right TrackWolverhampton Enterprise Community Interest CompanyAfter many years of working with young people with special educational needs, I appreciate the challenges young people face on leaving education. Their aspirations high and ready to move on hopefully into employment.

The years of studying to gain relevant qualifications that will be useful, to find employment, including vocationally relevant qualifications for their chosen occupation.

The works experience and supported internship placements that provide valuable experiences of the world of work and add to that all important CV.

So what’s next, the world of work?

But what happens if you can’t find work?

From meeting and talking to young people and their carers, it seems that they still need support to find that all important opportunity.

There are many excellent organisations, training providers and care facilitators all of which exist to support the young and older person.

So what does RIGHT TRACK WOLVERHAMPTON ENTERPRISE OFFER?Over the past two years Right Track has become an established community interest company. Its members (Directors), paid staff and volunteers, all having additional needs.

Our Staff are qualified and have lived experiences of the barriers to employment. They are all DBS Checked and have attended Safeguarding training.

Right Track sustains itself through gaining contracted works from private, community and Industrial sectors in a number of vocational areas.

Our MissionTo improve the lives of disadvantaged people by providing accessible training and employment opportunities in a real work-like environment.

How do we do this?

Provide meaningful volunteering opportunities

Link into training and employability skills.

Support people towards employment

Provide employment opportunities

Raise people’s self-esteem and self-image.

Develop relationships and friendships through communication, bringing people together.

Impact on people’s physical, mental health and wellbeing.

Provide support to people leading to greater independence.

Raise the profile and social impact within the local communities of Wolverhampton and beyond.

Impact on social and family life, helping people to become more confident and develop skills to interact with a wider community.

We have a number of people we support and are actively engaged in our work programmes.

We have a number of ongoing contracted work opportunities in grounds maintenance, cleaning, painting and decorating, car valeting and property services. We are always interested in gaining further work to support our programmes.

We are based in the Old Timken building presently, but we will be moving shortly into more modern facilities that will better suit our needs.

If you are interested in joining Right Track or learning more about the services we provide contact Andy Morris or Martyn Jones directly on 01902 719376 or email righttrackwolverhampton.org.uk

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Albrighton Moat TrustThe Albrighton Moat Trust offers educational and recreational activities for people disadvantaged by disability, special needs or illness, who are welcomed and supported whatever their capability.

We have a proven track record of supporting the most hard-to-reach in society providing positive outdoor activities, offering opportunities to enhance or change lives.

For over 20 years the Albrighton Trust has had successful record of supporting people of all ages with special needs and their carers by providing a high standard of service and facilities.

Outdoor activities we run during the year are angling, horticulture, conservation and wildlife and woodcraft.

We have recently extended and improved our wheelchair accessible fishing platforms, providing more space for more people to fish at any one time. We run regular coached sessions for people who have never fished before or who are inexperienced.

Here are some of the events coming up in 2018, if you would like further information or make a booking please telephone 01902372441 or email moat@albrightontrust.org.uk

Sunday 13th May Plant Sale & Fishing Equipment Sale DayVegetable and flowering plants for sale, handcrafted garden items, second-hand fishing equipment. Refreshments available.

Half Term Activities:Tuesday 29th May Woodcraft - Make a bird box – 10am and 1pm sessions.

Wednesday 30th May Wild about Nature - Explore and discover nature through a series of fun activities, outdoor clothing essential – 10am and 1pm sessions.

Thursday 31st May Coached Angling - Coaches available to help novice and inexperienced anglers, Equipment supplied – 10am and 1pm sessions.

Sunday 10th June we are open for the Cosford Air Show Parking and Angling, hassle-free parking to enjoy the air show displays, BBQ Refreshments available - Advanced Booking is essential.

Fishing Activities at Albrighton Moat

Sunday 1st July Open Day Come along for a fun day! Fishing sessions and competition, Activity sessions for everyone lots of stalls including plant sale and tombola BBQ and Refreshments 11am – 4pm.

Summer Activities:Tuesday 7th August Woodcraft – Make a Ladybird house, 10am and 1pm sessions.

1st, 8th, 15th August - Wild about Nature – Explore and discover nature through a series of fun activities, outdoor clothing essential – 10am and 1pm sessions.

2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd August - Coached Angling

Coaches available to help novice and inexperienced anglers, they will learn how to: - put bait on a hook, cast a line, land a fish, unhook fish safely, handle fish and return safely to the water, personal safety and awareness near water, there will be a fishing competition during the final session on 23rd August.

3rd, 10th, 17th August - Coached AnglingCoaches available to help those anglers who have attended taster sessions before and want to learn more and take a step forward towards independent angling. Sessions 10am and 1pm.

Half Term Activities:Wednesday 24 Oct - Wild about Nature – Explore and discover nature through a series of fun activities, outdoor clothing essential – 10am and 1pm sessions.

Thursday 25 Oct - Coached Angling - Coaches available to help novice or inexperienced anglers equipment supplied – 10am and 1pm sessions.

Woodturning at Albrighton Trust

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Useful ContactsMencap Wolverhampton OfficeGlyn Bank, 13 Lloyd Street,Wolverhampton WV6 0RLAdministrator: Sue CockhillTelephone (answer machine): 01902 744 969Mobile: 07834237712Email: wolvesmencap@gmail.com

Mencap (Royal Mencap Society)Regional OfficeTelephone: 0121 707 7877London OfficeTelephone: 020 7454 0454Website: www.mencap.org.uk

Mencap DirectLearning disability advice and servicesTelephone: 0808 808 1111Free to call from all mobiles and landlinesEmail: help@mencap.org.ukwww.mencapdirect.org.ukAdvice: Advocacy: Housing: Learning: Leisure: Support: Work

Royal Mencap Society Network Office(Network Co-ordinators)Email: yournetwork@mencap.org.ukTelephone number: 01733-873712Your Network Online: https://yournetwork.mencap.org.uk/

Adult Social Care – City of Wolverhampton Council Telephone : 01902 551199

Pond Lane Learning Disability Assessment and Treatment ServiceFor people with a learning disability between the ages of 18-65 who live in Wolverhampton who may be presenting with mental health/challenging behaviour/ physical/medical issues. Contact: Community Learning Disability Team 44 Pond Lane, Parkfields Wolverhampton, WV2 1HGTelephone: 01902 444447

Partner OrganisationsRight TrackUpper Villiers StreetWolverhamptonWV2 4NPContact Andrew Morris M.B.E.Or Martyn Jones 07504 132705

Good Lifeinfo@goodlifecic.orgContact Bill 07824 360181Or Helen 07527 034662Goodlife Facebook page

Leisure and Social Activities for People with Learning DisabilitiesWolverhampton Gateway Club(part of Mencap Wolverhampton)Trudy O’Hara (Club Leader)Telephone: 0121 602 4027Meets: Fridays 7.00pm to 9.00pmAge range: 16 years onwards.

Brickkiln Dunstall Gateway ClubMeets: Monday evenings

Daisy Bank Gateway ClubMeets: Tuesday eveningsJane CeresaTelephone: 01902 330 130Mobile 07931 316 741

Skills for LifeDonna Beddard Telephone: 01902 571 285

Special Olympics WolverhamptonJacky SilvesterTelephone: 01902 741 428

The Discoverers Drama GroupPhilip MoranMobile: 07713 508471Meets: Thursdays 7.00pm to 9.00pmVenue: Newhampton Arts Centre

Discos for people with physical and learning disabilitiesWednesdays:The (Goodyear) PavilionStafford Road, Wolverhampton, WV10 6AJ.Admission: £3.00 per person (plus extra for drinks, etc.) 6pm - 9pm

Eden Support LimitedWorking with people in their own homes in maintaining their independence. Supporting people to access social, educational and recreational opportunities in the community.Newhampton Arts Centre, Dunkley Street, Wolverhampton WV1 4ANManager. Joanna Labhart/Sue DecourcyOffice 01902 426 339Mobile : 07527 991 320

Creative Support Ltd. Wolverhampton Learning Disability ServicesAdult Community Outreach and Supported Living ServicesOffers support to individuals living with parents/carers or require support within their own tenancy. Support could include outings, activities, support with education and developing daily living skills.Mental Health Floating SupportFreephone 0800 1076753Admin.wolverhampton@creativesupport.org.uk orwww.creativesupport.co.uk

Old Tree NurseryPendeford Hall Lane, Wolverhampton WV9 5ET is a supported working and training venture for young people and adults with learning difficulties and mental health issues. Telephone 01902 786 042

The Crafty GardenerAcommunity Interest Company provides day activities health and employment relatd support through horticultural, crafts and retail activities.Telephone: Tilly McDermott 07896 004341Sally Hilton 07972 781921Matthew Parks 07847 865615Email: info@thecraftygardener.org.ukAlso Facebook page

Wolverhampton Information Network WINCity of Wolverhampton Council, Customer Services Team, Civic Centre, Wolverhampton WV1 1SHWebsite: www.win.wolverhampton.gov.uk

Special Olympics Wolverhamptonby Jacky Silvester

Wolverhampton brought home a magnificent 50 medal with the athletes competing in Table Tennis, Tennis, Swimming and Gymnastics. All the athletes achieved either medals or certificates and Personal Bests. Now we have an Anniversary Games in Stirling, Scotland in August and we are hoping to send Table Tennis players to take part. Unfortunately, the cost is going to be £300 per athlete and coach/escort. Therefore, we will have to do a bit of fundraising.

Special Olympics was first introduced in Great Britain 40 years ago this year after Eunice Kennedy Schriver hosted a sports-like Games in her garden in America, specifically for people with a Learning Disability, 50 years ago. Therefore, both countries have their anniversaries this year and is why Scotland is hosting the Anniversary Games.

I am pleased to say that Richard Hammond received a Disabled Athlete of the Year Award and Steve Peat (Table Tennis) Coach of the Year Award with the Wolverhampton City Sports Advisory Council. All athletes, in their chosen sports are training really hard as we also have local and regional competitions coming shortly. This also includes Athletics and Badminton.

We are lucky to have a new Swimming Coach, Diana, who has settled in very well and all the swimmers are doing well and will be attending a Gala in Redditch in March.

If anyone would like to know more about Special Olympics, please get in touch with me, Jacky Silvester, or any of our coaches.

Steve Peat’s Award presented by Councillor Steve Evans

Richard receiving his award

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Mencap Wolverhampton values and supports people with a learning disability, their parents and carers locally. By joining Mencap Wolverhampton you will help to make it a stronger organisation, help to make decisions and to campaign. We will keep you updated with local campaigns and you will receive information about Mencap Wolverhampton and its activities throughout the year. We are a financially independent charity and we therefore have to ask for a minimum charge of £5.00 per member in order to help us cover our costs. The £5.00 will cover the cost of up to two family members, who live at the same address.

Mencap Wolverhampton

Annual Membership Application 2018Reasons for joining Mencap Wolverhampton

Your Details

Name: Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms or other title .........................................................................................................................................................

Address: ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................Postcode:..........................................................

Telephone: ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................

Email Address:.......................................................................................................................................................................................................

Please tick as appropriate:

Person with a learning disability

Parent of someone with a learning disability

Carer of someone with a learning disability

Brother/sister of someone with a learning disability

Volunteer Professional Other (please specify) ..............................................................................

Membership Membership £5 enclosed Donation £....... enclosed Date: ..........................................................

Additional Family Members: ..........................................................................................................................................................................Please give the name and date of birth of the person with a learning disability:

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Gift AidYour donations to Mencap Wolverhampton may qualify for a 25% boost from the taxman and at no extra cost to you. All we require from you is a Gift Aid declaration - just tick the box on the left.

I declare all gifts of money that I have made in the past 4 years and all future gifts of money that I make from the date of this declaration as Gift Aid donations.

Note: To qualify for Gift Aid, what you pay in income tax or capital gains tax must at least equal the amount we will claim in the tax year. So, for example, if you choose to give us a gift of £100, then you must pay at least £25.00 in tax that year for us to be able to claim Gift

Aid on your donation. Please notify us if you: - want to cancel this declaration - change your name or home address - no longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains.

Please return your form and payment (made payable to Mencap Wolverhampton) toThe Administrator, Mencap Wolverhampton, Glyn Bank, 13 Lloyd Street, Wolverhampton WV6 0RLCharity Number 701532 Company limited by Guarantee 2329515 England Email: Wolvesmencap@gmail.com

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