Mencap
Encyclopedia
The Royal Mencap Society is a charity
based in the UK
that works with people with a learning disability
.
Mencap also provides help and support through supported living, supported employment, respite services, organised activities, systemic and individual advocacy, and outreach support.
Mencap provides advice and support to meet people's needs throughout their lives, as an individual membership organisation with a local network of more than 450 affiliated groups. Mencap's work is membership-driven, and thanks to its work for the welfare of young people, it is a member of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS).
. The Coalition was formed in May 2007 to campaign for better funding for social care for people with a learning disability in England. Mencap is also a member of Every Disabled Child Matters
.
Since 1980 the actor Brian Rix
has represented the charity in a number of positions, including Secretary-General
, Chairman and latterly President
. The chief executive of Mencap is Mark Goldring, succeeding Dame Josephine Williams
on 1 November 2008. Goldring was previously chief executive of Voluntary Service Overseas
.
in 1946 as The National Association of Parents of Backward Children, the organisation changed its name to The National Society for Mentally Handicapped Children in 1955, becoming The Royal Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults following patronage
from Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Elizabeth II in 1981.
Fryd had written to Nursery World magazine inviting other parents to contact her. Many wrote back expressing their anger and sorrow at the lack of services for their children.
Since 1969 the Society has been commonly known by the abbreviation "Mencap" (presumably from Mentally Handicapped) and, in 2002, its full legal name was shortened to the Royal Mencap Society.
In 1955, the Society opened its first project, the Orchard Dene short-stay residential home. In 1958, it launched a ground-breaking project called the Brooklands Experiment. This compared the progress of children with a learning disability who lived in hospital with a group of children who were moved to a small family environment and cared for using educational activities modelled on those in "ordinary" nurseries. After two years, the children in the home-like environment showed marked improvements in social, emotional and verbal skills. The success of the experiment was published around the world.
The charity has several notable supporters such as The Edge
, Duran Duran
, Christopher Eccleston
, Bruce Barrymore Halpenny
, Joanne Salley
, Norman Wisdom
, Jonny Lee Miller
, Snow Patrol
, and Jo Whiley
. Another notable fundraiser and supporter is Dame Norma Major
, wife of former prime minister Sir John Major
.
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
based in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
that works with people with a learning disability
Mental retardation
Mental retardation is a generalized disorder appearing before adulthood, characterized by significantly impaired cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors...
.
Profile
Mencap is the UK's leading learning disability charity working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers. Mencap works collaboratively, fighting for equal rights, campaigning for greater opportunities and challenging attitudes and prejudice.Mencap also provides help and support through supported living, supported employment, respite services, organised activities, systemic and individual advocacy, and outreach support.
Mencap provides advice and support to meet people's needs throughout their lives, as an individual membership organisation with a local network of more than 450 affiliated groups. Mencap's work is membership-driven, and thanks to its work for the welfare of young people, it is a member of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS).
Campaigns
Mencap is currently campaigning on the following issues:- Equal rights
- Health
- Independent living
- Social care and cuts
- Employment and training
- Children and young people
- Profound and multiple learning disabilities
- Families and carers
Coalitions
Mencap, along with 14 other organisations, is a member of the Learning Disability CoalitionLearning Disability Coalition
The Learning Disability Coalition is a group of fourteen organisations which campaigns to secure better funding for social care for people with learning disabilities in England....
. The Coalition was formed in May 2007 to campaign for better funding for social care for people with a learning disability in England. Mencap is also a member of Every Disabled Child Matters
Every Disabled Child Matters
Every Disabled Child Matters is a political campaign based in England with the aim of improving rights for disabled children and their families. The stated campaign objectives focus on issues such as poverty, education, access to government services and inclusion...
.
Management
Since 1998, at least one-third of the members of the National Assembly must be people with a learning disability.Since 1980 the actor Brian Rix
Brian Rix, Baron Rix
Brian Norman Roger Rix, Baron Rix, CBE is an English actor and charity worker. He is the younger brother of British actress Sheila Mercier .-Early years:...
has represented the charity in a number of positions, including Secretary-General
Secretary-General
-International intergovernmental organizations:-International nongovernmental organizations:-Sports governing bodies:...
, Chairman and latterly President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
. The chief executive of Mencap is Mark Goldring, succeeding Dame Josephine Williams
Jo Williams
Dame Josephine Williams, DBE, DL was the chief executive of Mencap until 1 November 2008. She is now a Commissioner of the Care Quality Commission....
on 1 November 2008. Goldring was previously chief executive of Voluntary Service Overseas
Voluntary Service Overseas
Voluntary Service Overseas is an international development charity that works through experienced volunteers living and working as equals alongside local partners. It is the largest independent volunteer-sending organization in the world...
.
History
Established by Judy FrydJudy Fryd
Judy Fryd was a British campaigner for mentally handicapped children and the founder of The National Association of Parents of Backward Children, now Mencap....
in 1946 as The National Association of Parents of Backward Children, the organisation changed its name to The National Society for Mentally Handicapped Children in 1955, becoming The Royal Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults following patronage
Patronage
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings or popes have provided to musicians, painters, and sculptors...
from Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Elizabeth II in 1981.
Fryd had written to Nursery World magazine inviting other parents to contact her. Many wrote back expressing their anger and sorrow at the lack of services for their children.
Since 1969 the Society has been commonly known by the abbreviation "Mencap" (presumably from Mentally Handicapped) and, in 2002, its full legal name was shortened to the Royal Mencap Society.
In 1955, the Society opened its first project, the Orchard Dene short-stay residential home. In 1958, it launched a ground-breaking project called the Brooklands Experiment. This compared the progress of children with a learning disability who lived in hospital with a group of children who were moved to a small family environment and cared for using educational activities modelled on those in "ordinary" nurseries. After two years, the children in the home-like environment showed marked improvements in social, emotional and verbal skills. The success of the experiment was published around the world.
Supporters & Ambassadors
In 1986, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother became the patron of Mencap and in 2004 The Countess of Wessex became Mencap's patron.The charity has several notable supporters such as The Edge
The Edge
David Howell Evans , more widely known by his stage name The Edge , is a musician best known as the guitarist, backing vocalist, and keyboardist of the Irish rock band U2. A member of the group since its inception, he has recorded 12 studio albums with the band and has released one solo record...
, Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
, Christopher Eccleston
Christopher Eccleston
Christopher Eccleston is an English stage, film and television actor. His films include Let Him Have It, Shallow Grave, Elizabeth, 28 Days Later, Gone in 60 Seconds, The Others, and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra...
, Bruce Barrymore Halpenny
Bruce Barrymore Halpenny
Bruce Barrymore Halpenny is a widely respected English military historian and author, specialising in airfields and aircraft, as well as ghost stories and mysteries. He is also a broadcaster and games inventor.-Parents:...
, Joanne Salley
Joanne Salley
Joanne Salley is a former Miss Northern Ireland winner, presently working as an art teacher and part-time television presenter....
, Norman Wisdom
Norman Wisdom
Sir Norman Joseph Wisdom, OBE was an English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter best known for a series of comedy films produced between 1953 and 1966 featuring his hapless onscreen character Norman Pitkin...
, Jonny Lee Miller
Jonny Lee Miller
Jonathan "Jonny" Lee Miller is an English actor. During the initial days he was best known for his roles in the 1996 films Trainspotting and Hackers...
, Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol
Snow Patrol are an alternative rock band from Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. Formed at the University of Dundee in 1994 as an indie rock band, the band is now based in Glasgow...
, and Jo Whiley
Jo Whiley
Johanne "Jo" Whiley is a British radio disc jockey and television presenter. She was the host of the long running weekday Jo Whiley Show on Radio 1.-Early life and education:...
. Another notable fundraiser and supporter is Dame Norma Major
Norma Major
Dame Norma Christina Elizabeth Major, DBE , is the wife of Sir John Major, the former British Prime Minister.-Biography:...
, wife of former prime minister Sir John Major
John Major
Sir John Major, is a British Conservative politician, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1990–1997...
.