What Do We Do?
Enable voices of local people with learning disabilities and family carers to be heard.
The Executive Committee meets every 2 months either in Hereford or Leominster to discuss local, regional and national issues affecting people with a learning disability and their families; decide on funding applications received and supervise the work of the Development Worker. The Committee’s vice-Chairman has a learning disability and another person with a learning disability is a co-opted member. They are supported by Herefordshire Mencap’s Trustee support worker.
Challenge providers of local services: by representation on the Learning Disabilities Partnership Board. All local authorities must set up a Partnership Board made up of all agencies affecting people’s lives. They have responsibility for ensuring local plans are implemented. Click here to see
Herefordshire Learning Disabilities Partnership Board Plan Version 2.
We work closely with Royal Mencap on regional and national issues with two of our Executive Committee on the West Midlands regional committee and the National Assembly. They are supported by HM's development worker.
Make grants to various projects including drawing workshops run by Art360; the ‘Frock on' project using recycled materials in craft making; a trip to Aston Villa football club for local footballers; continuing to support Marches Family Network's summer playschemes; supported the Contact Course's residential holidays in May.
Information: Development worker – Rose Hunt - can provide help, and advice, or tell you where else to ask, on all sorts of topics – money, schools, home care, day opportunities, direct payments, benefits, support for carers and much more!
Campaigns:
‘Changing Places' toilets:
‘count me in' politics workshops:
‘stay up late':
2010 campaign ‘Getting it right' – the 2010 Mencap campaign for the 2010 Learning Disability Week. This is about equal healthcare for people with a learning disability. Please go to for more information: http://www.mencap.org.uk/case.asp?id=14966
• a toilet is now in the plans for the retail quarter of the Edgar Street Grid development
• a toilet is in the plans for a new library development in Ledbury
• there is a possibility of a toilet in the new information centre in Hereford city and the new library in Ross
• 5 trainers were trained and gave a series of workshops to local people with learning disabilities about why and how we vote.
• In April 2010 2 trainers gave more workshops in preparation for the General Election.
• The first of 3 gigs is on 27 th March in Hereford . This is all about people being able to stay up late, not having to leave the party early because of staff rotas.
Rose is a family carer: her son has multiple needs so call on her experience to help sort your problem.
‘Help Starts Here’ is a directory of names and addresses free to anyone who wants to find out what is available locally. It covers local health services, support agencies, education, day opportunities, residential homes and much more.
The ‘Glossary’ explains initials, jargon and acronyms in plain language. Also free!