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Name of charity: Bromley Mencap
What service do you provide?
We’re an award-winning, independent registered charity working with and on behalf of disabled people, their families and carers, based in the London Borough of Bromley. We were set up as a learning disability organisation in 1951 by a group of parents with children who had learning disabilities. We started to campaign at local level and later began to provide services. In 2010 we joined together with Bromley Scope and changed our constitution to become a disability organisation providing services for people with learning and/or physical disabilities (including autism and social communication difficulties). We offer a wide range of services including a day service, social and leisure opportunities for disabled children and adults, as well respite services and family support for parents and carers. We have a helpline, services for young carers and mutual carers, a children’s wellbeing service and a Short Breaks programme. We also offer employment and education support and tailored workshops, as well as training programmes at the Lodge in Norman Park for disabled adults in horticulture, bicycle maintenance, and food safety and hygiene. In addition, we run a Domiciliary Care Personal Assistant (PA) Agency that offers high quality, affordable, trained Personal Assistants/ Support Workers to provide tailored support for people with learning and/or physical disabilities. The service enables disabled people to get out and about in their local communities and access day opportunities. Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, many of our usual face-to-face meetings have been suspended, but the team have adapted and been very creative in moving services online and supporting service users with this transition.
Who is it available to?
People with disabilities of any age and their families/ carers in the London Borough of Bromley. We also provide some of our services to disabled people in neighbouring boroughs.
How are you funded?
We are independent from national Mencap and do not receive any financial assistance from them. We are commissioned by the London Borough of Bromley and South East London Clinical Commissioning Group and receive grants and funding from a wide range of funders including the National lottery, BBC Children in Need and
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City Bridge Trust. Our Day Service and training programme is funded by Direct Payments and we also raise vital funds locally every year through a community fundraising programme.
Do you accept donations?
Yes, it is with your help that we can continue to offer our services to those that need it most. You can donate to our emergency COVID-19 fundraising appeal here http:// virginmoneygiving.com/fund/BromleyMencap_COVID-19_ Appeal or text BRMENCAPGIVE and add the amount you want to donate to 70085. For example, to donate £10 text BRMENCAPGIVE 10. Texts cost the donation amount plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to donate but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text BRMENCAPGIVENOINFO to 70085. You could also leave us a legacy in your will. Leaving a legacy really can help protect our long-term future. We are also currently looking for donations of bicycles for our students at the Lodge undertaking bicycle maintenance training. If you can help, please contact the office on 020 8466 0790. For more information see https:// bit.ly/33kUBvi
Do you run any events?
Please keep an eye on our Facebook page (@BromleyMencap) for fundraising events. Due to COVID-19, many of our fundraising events have been cancelled which has had a huge impact on donations made, but we have been able to move some activities online.
Are you looking for volunteers?
Yes, we are always looking for fundraising volunteers and volunteers with a professional background who can support our work. We have been supported by a committed team of volunteers for many years. We welcome their contribution on either a regular or occasional basis. Volunteers are vital to the work of the charity and we offer support to anyone interested in volunteering for us.
How else can people help?
We always welcome community fundraisers to support our fundraising efforts. There are several ways you can fundraise for Bromley Mencap that won’t cost you a penny such as recycling printer toner and inkjet cartridges and shopping online with easyfundraising. Check out our website under “Getting involved” for more details. https://www.bromleymencap.org.uk/how-can-i-help/ fundraising/
Bromley Mencap are located at Rutland House, 44 Masons Hill, Bromley, BR2 9JG and they are open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm. Call 020 8466 0790 or see www.bromleymencap.org.uk/
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