Summary of Richmond Mencap Services

Richmond Mencap is a registered local charity affiliated to Royal Mencap Society.
Our goals are clear,
(working alongside statutory organisations, upon which we strongly depend) to:
* Support Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities and their family carers. *
* Provide respite care and other practical services to meet needs. *
* Represent their interests and campaign on their behalf. *
* Offer individual and general support and information. *

Mencap have provided care in the community for over forty years, ensuring respite to family carers as well as investing in the development of our children and young adults with learning difficulties, not forgetting our comprehensive welfare support, which has proven to be a valuable service within our local community. We're extremely proud of the success of our projects and we continue to try and improve and expand on the services that we currently run. However we couldn't achieve this without the help of our volunteers and new volunteers are always welcome.
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Services provided by Richmond Mencap-

WELFARE SUPPORT (Summary of Support Given)
including debt management and payment of bills (bank, utilities, housing etc.). This system may involve working closely with the service user concerned and their support team.
Benefits - assistance in the completion of benefit forms such as DLA, Housing and Council Tax (taken to appeal if necessary). Advice on benefits forms part of this service and may apply to both service user and family carer.
Furnishings and clothing - In some cases we assist with the purchase of clothing and household items, this may also include arrangements for the disposal of furnishings and large household items.
Emotional support - may involve telephone calls, random or prearranged visits to the Richmond Mencap Office and/or home visits. This may be one off support or ongoing support on a regular, or more occasional basis. This may also involve crisis intervention/prevention work and monitoring.
Child Protection - Our involvement in child protection is limited but may apply during the period which we run our summer play scheme for children (Summer Fun). Any such case would be immediately referred to the appropriate services.
Support during illness - could be acute or chronic physical condition or mental health condition. We ensure support and monitoring. An individual may require practical assistance (this may be short term, long term and/or recurring).
Financial aid - we always try to be aware of potential financial problems and always assess requests for assistance.
Monitoring - this is a constant welfare procedure. Usually carried out by telephone. Assessment is also a constant procedure of this service. Health, isolation, finance, food, warmth etc. are all areas for concern. Responding to queries - this may be of a general or welfare nature e.g. wills, housing, holidays, diagnostic, behaviour patterns, financial, backup services etc.
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INDEPENDENT LIVING PROJECT
The Independent Living Project is an informal social centre, which was launched on 1st May 2002. It was set up specifically to provide a service for adults with learning disabilities living independently in the community (LBRuT), also including adults with learning disabilities who are preparing for independent life but currently live at home with family carers.
Since the projects launch the Independent Living Centre has experienced consistent growth, we hope that the project will continue to make progress and develop.
The Independent Living Project initially operated from Stanley Road, Twickenham but has since moved to Whitton (for address details contact the Richmond Mencap office).
Our doors are open to service users three times weekly, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons. The centre is informal and allows clients to come and go as they please within the official times of operation.
Through this project we aim to help develop the social relationships of our users, as well as helping them to gain the confidence they need to engage and interact with other members of their peer group.
To provide outreach work in connection with people attending the centre as required.
To take action on behalf of clients when necessary.
To liaise directly with statutory services and other voluntary organisations when appropriate.
The Independent Living Project has become a valuable meeting place for those who have built-up new friendships,
Clients enjoy a range of on site activities such as -
snooker, darts, dominoes, cards, music, films,
as well as off site activities on average every six weeks such as -10-pin bowling.
Light snacks are available at all sessions; most clients take advantage of the local Chinese and Chip Shops for their evening meals.
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SUMMER FUN
Summer Fun is an annual interactive summer scheme, which provides three weeks bursting with a variety of activities for local children and young people with learning disabilities/special needs. It has proved to be an extremely successful and popular project and is valuable to its users and their carers.
We aim to cater for children from the ages of 8 right up to 17+ (these ages may vary).
Through Summer Fun, Richmond Mencap aim to provide a comprehensive and interactive programme for children with learning disabilities/special needs, encouraging them to engage with their peer groups, develop social skills and make new friends. Also filling the gap, which is left by schools in the lengthy summer holiday (as well as providing family carers with respite).
The various activities scheduled are tailored to meet the needs of everyone using the service. The service users are divided into three age groups, each group has activities provided which are relevant and suitable to their particular age group and specific needs. The children attend registration every morning in their respective groups before daily activities commence. Some activities have educational aspects but the majority of them are just pure fun. Parents can rest assured knowing that their children are in highly staffed groups.
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HOP
Richmond Mencap run a parallel scheme for adults (18-35+) with learning disabilities consisting of one group known as the Holiday Opportunities Project (HOP), this also runs for three weeks and has activities, which are more suited to adults. For further details on HOP you can contact us on the details at the bottom of the page.
Every year we have repeat activities, which have always been a success from previous years, Horse riding, The Holly Lodge Centre (Richmond Park), Canoeing, boat trips, as well as brand new activities, which we try to incorporate every year. The children have a say in the activities we provide through a process of annual evaluations filled in by parents based on input from their children, also through daily feedback from service users to staff.
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RICHMOND MENCAP HOLIDAYS
Richmond Mencap Holidays have been provided since 1990 and have developed significantly since the initial launch. Seasonal holidays to popular destinations are available which are specifically tailored to the needs of our service users. The service is always expanding as we endeavour to accommodate a wider client base.
The holidays we provide are specifically for adults with a learning disability living independently within the local community, this also includes adults who live with family carers, young adults (age range 18 - 32+) and adults with additional needs who live with parents/family carers.
With specific funding resources have been made available so that Richmond Mencap can continue the respite services, which were extended in 2001, in order to benefit more family carers of adults with learning disabilities living within the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
For people who live independently, our holidays should be their only holiday during the year. (This does not apply to people living with family carers).
OUR AIM IS
* To deliver holiday provision for adults with a learning disability living independently in the community enabling them to escape from the isolation that many of our service users experience *
* To deliver holiday provision for adults with a learning disability, living with parents/family carers (Providing carers with respite) *
* To provide a holiday which includes places for adults requiring additional assistance, e.g. wheelchair users, people with mobility difficulties *
The holidays we provide include a broad range of activities and daily outings, the holiday for young adults is devoted especially to outdoor and indoor activities of which members of the group love to participate and are encouraged to do so. For less energetic holidays we visit popular landmarks such as castles, stately homes, and national trust sites. Steam trains and boat rides always seem to be highly requested by service users. We always explore our local surroundings and theirs always plenty of time aside for shopping. Service users have plenty of input into destinations they would like to visit (majority rules).
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RICHMOND MENCAP HOLIDAY HOME
The Richmond Mencap holiday bungalow is located on Kings Park, Eastbourne, one of England's well-known seaside towns, set in open and pleasant surroundings and within easy reach of the town centre, lovely countryside and coastline, this semi detached bungalow is double glazed throughout and has a driveway for easy parking.
The bungalow is let to members of Richmond Mencap on a non-profit making business (non members by special arrangement).
There are three bedrooms, one with 2 single beds and room for the visitor's bed if required, one twin bedroom and a single, all rooms are fully furnished.
The lounge has ample seating, an electric fire and colour television; heaters are supplied in most rooms.
Adequate duvets and pillows are supplied for six people, linen is not provided and you are required to take sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases, tea towels and bath towels. (There may be an opportunity to hire bed linen on site, please enquire at time of booking).
Electricity is by 50p slot meter.
The fully fitted kitchen is well provided with cupboard space, an electric cooker, kettle, toaster and a fridge freezer. It is supplied with crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils for up to six people. The back door from the kitchen leads onto the patio. (There is a separate dining room). There is an automatic washer dryer.
To complete the accommodation there is a bathroom with full size bath with an electric shower above it, washbasin and toilet, there are fitted carpets throughout the bungalow. Unfortunately the accommodation is unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Eastbourne is easily reached by road and is only 68 miles from Richmond. Fast frequent trains from Victoria Station serve it and coaches operate from Victoria Coach Station. Buses run from Eastbourne Station to Kings Park and taxis are readily available.
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CARERS AND MEMBERS COFFEE MORNINGS
This is a new service designed to build a network of support for family carers of children or adults with learning disabilities and members of Richmond Mencap.

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