Christmas Gifts on Motorbikes!

BULLETINJanuary/February 2020

Christmas gifts on motorbikes! Bromley Mencap is very grateful to the Bromley Children and Families Voluntary Sector Forum for organising a fantastic collection of Christmas gifts and toys which our members and service users benefited from. It was a great day - the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers (West Kent) turned out on their amazing motorbikes, in full Christmas gear, at Anerley Town Hall on 14th December.

The range of gifts was second to none and all were collected by the Masons or bought with funds they had raised. The Mayor of Bromley, Cllr Nicholas Bennett, said a few words and many organisations benefited from the gifts for their members and beneficiaries.

Thank you all and Happy New Year!

What’s in this issue?

Hi everyone,

Welcome to our first Bulletin of 2020!

There’s lots to catch up on from all the EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES 3 great events our members attended over Christmas and fab news and pics of the CHIEF EXECUTIVE amazing fundraising carried out by our REPORT 4 volunteers. BROMLEY WELL Make sure you catch up on all the updates UPDATES 10-14 from our Day Opportunites team. There are some amazing-looking cakes that DAY OPPS NEWS 16-17 attendees have been baking on show! COMMUNITY 23-25 Hope you enjoy this Bulletin, see you next FUNDRAISING time!

Luan [email protected]

2 Events and Activities For more info or to book, please call the office on 020 8466 0790 JANUARY 24-Jan Bromley Well Older Carers Information Workshop and Lunch 20-Jan Day Opportunities Programme - Bromley Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley Social Communication Difficulties (ASD) Drop In 27-Jan Day Opportunities Programme – Bromley 21-Jan Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training Monday Afternoners Planning meeting Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 28-Jan Bromley Well Autism Workshop 22-Jan Horticulture Training Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 23-Jan Bromley Well Job Search Drop-in Session for People with Physical Disabilities and Long Term Health Conditions Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Physical Disabilities 17-Feb Day Opportunities Programme – Bromley Catering and Bike Recycling Training 18-Feb Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham Family Coach Trip to Diggerland FEBRUARY 19-Feb Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Learning Difficulties 03-Feb Day Opportunities Programme – Bromley Horticulture Training 04-Feb Bromley Well Supporting Disabled People and Carers Training Session Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training Adult Dance 18+ Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 20-Feb Bromley Well Job Search Drop-in Session for People with Physical 05-Feb Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Learning Difficulties Disabilities and Long Term Health Conditions Horticulture Training Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Physical Disabilities Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham Catering and Bike Recycling Training 06-Feb Bromley Well Job Search Drop-in Session for People with Physical Disabilities Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Physical Disabilities 21-Feb Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley Catering and Bike Recycling Training 24-Feb Day Opportunities Programme – Bromley Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham Monday Afternooners Trip 07-Feb Bromley Well Cookery Club for Adults with Learning Disabilities 25-Feb Bromley Well Autism Workshop Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training 10-Feb Day Opportunities Programme – Bromley Bromley Well Adult LD Cookery Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 11-Feb Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training 26-Feb Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Learning Difficulties Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham Horticulture Training 12-Feb Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Learning Difficulties Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham Horticulture Training 27-Feb Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Physical Disabilities Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham Community Outreach Drop In 13-Feb Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Physical Disabilities Catering and Bike Recycling Training Catering and Bike Recycling Training 06-Mar Bromley Well Adult LD Cookery Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 14-Feb Bromley Well Job Preparation Workshop Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley Bromley Well Job Preparation Workshop Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley 09-Mar28-Feb Day Opportunities Programme – Bromley Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley 17-Feb Day Opportunities Programme – Bromley 10-Mar Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training 18-Feb Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 11-Mar Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Learning Difficulties Family Coach Trip to Diggerland Horticulture Training 19-Feb Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Learning Difficulties Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham Horticulture Training MARCH 12-Mar Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Physical Disabilities 02-Mar DayDay Opportunities Opportunities Programme – – West Bromley Wickham Catering and Bike Recycling Training 03-Mar Catering,Adult Dance Horticulture 18+ and Bike Recycling Training Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 20-FebDayBromley Opportunities Well Job SearchProgramme Drop-in – Session West Wickham for People with Physical 13-Mar Bromley Well Job Preparation Workshop 04-Mar BromleyDisabilities Well and Outreach Long Term Session Health for Conditions People with Learning Difficulties Catering and Bike Recycling Training Horticulture Training Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Physical Disabilities Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley 05-Mar Bromley Well Job Search Drop-in Session for People with Physical DisabilitiesCatering and and Bike Long Recycling Term Health Training Conditions BromleyDay Opportunities Well Outreach Programme Session – forWest People Wickham with Physical Disabilities 21-FebCateringDay Opportunities and Bike Recycling Programme Training – West Wickham and Bromley 24-FebDayDay Opportunities Opportunities Programme – – Bromley West Wickham 06-Mar BromleyMonday AfternoonersWell Adult LD Trip Cookery 25-FebDayBromley Opportunities Well Autism Programme Workshop – West Wickham and Bromley 09-Mar DayCatering, Opportunities Horticulture Programme and Bike Recycling – Bromley Training 10-Mar Catering,Day Opportunities Horticulture Programme and Bike – West Recycling Wickham Training 26-FebDayBromley Opportunities Well Outreach Programme Session for – PeopleWest Wickham with Learning Difficulties 11-Mar BromleyHorticulture Well Training Outreach Session for People with Learning Difficulties HorticultureDay Opportunities Training Programme – West Wickham 27-FebDayBromley Opportunities Well Outreach Programme Session for – PeopleWest Wickham with Physical Disabilities 12-Mar BromleyCommunity Well Outreach Outreach Drop Session In for People with Physical Disabilities CateringCatering and Bike Bike Recycling Recycling Training Training 3 DayDay Opportunities Programme Programme – West – West Wickham Wickham 13-Mar28-FebBromleyBromley Well Job Job Preparation Preparation Workshop Workshop CateringDay Opportunities and Bike ProgrammeRecycling Training – West Wickham and Bromley Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley CHIEF EXECUTIVE REPORT EDDIE LYNCH

The new service will employ a full-time Information Worker to provide specialist one-to-one support and early intervention for people with Autism. The support will include drop-ins and outreach sessions across the borough to ensure it reaches isolated people.

Bromley Well has been delivering preventative services to a wide range of people since October 2017. During this period the number of referrals from people with Autism has increased significantly. This As part of the service CASPA will deliver month Bromley Well launches a new pilot monthly workshops and develop peer Autism Pathway. support. The workshops will be delivered at a single venue at the same time and day Through consultation with young people it each month to provide consistency and to became clear that more support is needed avoid confusion and anxiety amongst this around transition, housing, benefits, group. Workshops will be open to young health, employment, life skills training and people aged 16+. social and leisure activities. A survey of parents and carers through the Bromley Workshops will focus on a range of topics Autism Partnership Group identified that including health, mental wellbeing, anxiety, information was poor and there is a lack developing coping strategies, relationships, of clarity around community services for employment, welfare benefits and leisure. young people with Autism. To contact the service or make a referral The new Pathway will provide specialist please ring the Single Point of Access on one-to-one and group support to people 0300 3309 039 or email with autism aged 16+. Starting support [email protected] at age 16 will ensure young people are supported through the transition to adulthood which can present challenges for people with Autism.

4 Obituaries

Bob Luckhurst Bob Lockhurst sadly passed away in November. Bob was a popular face in the local community and ran a book stall in Orpington High Street for many years. Bob raised thousands of pounds for Bromley Mencap through his book stall and we are very grateful for his support.

We will miss his beaming smile and great humour when he called into the office. We pass on our condolences to Bob’s family and friends.

Jo Gifford Everyone at Bromley Mencap was saddened to hear of the passing of Jo Gifford in November. Jo was a member and supporter of Bromley Mencap for many years. Jo, with her partner Geoff, was a dedicated part of our volunteering fundraising team. Over the years Jo has helped raise lots of money for the charity by helping and taking part in our events - including dressing as a Superhero for the Regents Park Fun Run.

Jo worked at Marks and Spencers and had many friends within the local community. The huge turnout at Jo’s funeral showed how loved she was and she will be very much missed. We will miss Jo’s beautiful smile. Our condolences go to Jo’s family.

5 Shrek – Relaxed Performance

Bromley Players are a local community theatre group who will be presenting the musical ‘Shrek’ in April 2020 at the Bob Hope Theatre in Eltham. Shrek is a fun, family musical with tap dancing rats, a talking Donkey and a huge Dragon puppet! On 13th April at 2:30pm there will be a relaxed performance. This performance is open to all, however, Bromley Players are particularly looking to welcome people with autism or learning difficulties/disabilities. Tickets are £12 if booked before 1st February (£14 thereafter). For those attending this performance there will also be the opportunity to meet the cast afterwards.

If you would like to book tickets for this performance visit the Bob Hope website https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/wythfield-rd/bob-hope-theatre/shrek- relaxed-and-sensory-adapted-performance/e-bmrvrg or call them on 0208 850 3702.

Bromley Players are also looking for people to sponsor a seat for a carer to help make this performance as accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able to help, please look on our Just Giving page – Justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bromley-players-shrek

If you are a company that may be able to sponsor tickets for carers in return for advertising in our programme then please contact – [email protected]

6 Look out for other people

Remember to keep in touch with your older friends, family and neighbours over the winter.

Ask if they are feeling OK and if they need any help.

If the roads and pavements are icy, older people might not be able to get out.

Make sure they have enough food for a few days.

If older people have to go out in the cold We are here they should wear: to help you stay well this winter. • shoes with a good grip Things you need to do to stay well this winter • a scarf round their mouth to stop the cold air getting in.

EasyRead version

7 Our round-up of local and NEWS national disability news CORNER and developments Train Fun for Autistic Children SEND Saturday Outdoor Activities Club Engine Shed is bringing its trains to Every Saturday at Bromley Common Cricket Streatham, Twickenham, Kew and Caterham. Club, Oakley Road from 10-11:30 am. These Full details, including dates, here sessions are for children with SEND, their siblings & friends. More details here. Full forest kit required.

Look out for other people

Half of Disability Benefit Decisions Remember to keep in touch with your Overturned older friends, family and neighbours over the winter. Half of all people who appeal in court against disability benefit decisions win their cases, NHS ‘Help Us Help You – Before It Gets analysis of five years of data by the BBC has Worse’ shown. The BBC’s Shared Data Unit found The ‘Help Us, Help You – Before It Gets Worse’Ask if they are feeling OK and if they need that 550,000 people won an appeal over their campaign helps the public and particularlyany the help. benefits at tribunal between 2013 and 2018. most vulnerable in society - over 65s and those The success rates showed that “hideous” with underlying health conditions as well as benefits assessments were beset by “poor their carers - understand the things they can do decision-making” and “obvious inaccuracies” to stay well this winter, and if they get ill, where according to research by the BBC. Read more to get advice and get well sooner. This includes a reminder to visit the pharmacist or contactIf the roads and pavements are icy, older Two-thirds of Workplace Adjustments NHS 111 at the first signs of illness, the people might not be able to get out. ‘turned down’ importance of picking up prescriptions and A third of disabled workers feel their staying warm over the winter months and employers do not support them, half said checking in on elderly neighbours and they faced barriers which could be removed relatives. The easy read leaflet can be with adjustments, and two-thirds have had downloaded here Make sure they have enough food for a some or all of their requests for reasonable few days. adjustments to help them do their jobs turned down. Read more If older people have to go out in the cold We are here they should wear: to help you stay well this winter. • shoes with a good grip Things you need to do to stay well this winter • a scarf round their mouth to stop the cold air getting in.

EasyRead version

8 How to Complain about Inaccessible Websites Ability Net has put together a new guide for people who encounter challenges when attempting to use a digital service, such as a New Animation from IASS website, because it does not take into account Information, Advice and Support Services their accessibility needs. (IASS) provide free, impartial and confidential information, advice and support to disabled The guide is available here children and young people, and those with SEN from birth to 25, and their parents. They are statutory services which means there has to be a service in every local authority. Watch this animation which explains all of the support on offer from an IAS service here

Check Before you Tick Fledglings The NHS ‘check before you tick’ campaign Fledglings is an online shop full of practical so- aims to help people understand their lutions for children with additional needs. From eligibility to receive free prescriptions and clothing and swimwear, bedtime and how to claim correctly. It focuses on those toilet training, to eating and drinking and people making benefit-related claims who sensory and learning products. More here. felt they needed more support to understand they are not automatically exempt. It encourages people to use an online eligibility checker tool from the NHS, which takes less than five minutes to complete. Check before you tick here

9 Supporting People with Physical Disabilities

We support people with physical Monthly Workshops disabilities to maintain independence and Our workshops go from strength to strength become more resilient. We offer free and are very popular. In November we invited workshops, providing useful information to Catherine Craggs who delivers workshops on help people to learn new skills as well as an Stress Relief. Catherine went round the group opportunity to socialise. We also hold regular to discuss what everyone did to relax. They drop-in sessions. then enjoyed a small exercise in meditation We support people by helping them with: and breathing, followed by seated yoga and • Transport solutions such as Blue Badge, hand massage. Catherine then held a Taxicard, Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass discussion on positive thinking and where to and Dial-a-Ride applications find relevant resources and guided • Information, advice and emotional meditation. Everyone really enjoyed this support interactive workshop and many said they • Support at medical appointments, DWP would go on to use stress relief techniques assessments and tribunals from home as and when required. • Telephone support service for those who may fall into isolation • Grant applications • Assistive technology

Drop-ins Weekly drop-in sessions are held at two venues within the borough. These are at Mottingham and Cotmandene on alternate Thursdays. The sessions are for information and advice, emotional support and help with letters and paperwork. No appointment is necessary and details about these can be found below: Our final workshop of last year was Keeping Well and Warm in the Winter. Sue Fuller Mottingham Community & Learning Shop discussed various important factors about the 1-2 Cranley Parade, Mottingham, SE9 4DZ, winter and the effects of cold weather through Thursday 2-4pm, Tel: 020 8860 1150 a power point presentation. Sue covered the importance of having the flu jab and how this Future Dates: 23rd January, 6th and 20th would protect vulnerable people against February. getting flu and therefore keeping well throughout the winter period. The group Cotmandene Community Resource Centre engaged in discussions about keeping warm 64 Cotmandene Crescent, St Pauls Cray, indoors, the warm home discount available BR5 2RG, Thursday 2-4pm, please note the through many utility suppliers, and the £140 new time. Tel: 020 8402 0123 grant towards fuel bills. Finally, we finished the year off with some festive fun with a Christmas Future Dates: 30th January, 13th and 27th quiz and mince pies. February. Future workshop dates: Monday 17th February – To be confirmed. 10 Amazing opportunity for Lucy Edwards presenting on Radio 1 NEWS - Lucy Edwards has been visually impaired since Physical Disabilities 17. In December Lucy became Radio I’s first ever blind presenter! Lucy talks openly about her disability and how proud she is. The challenge of being disabled and green Read more. Sam Little is making changes to become greener. Sam gives her own hints and tips on making a difference and being green as a disabled person. Read more.

NHS ‘Help Us, Help You – Before It Gets Maddy Hopson Defies The Odds To Worse’ Graduate The ‘Help Us, Help You – Before It Gets Worse’ Maddy Hopson was given just hours to live campaign helps the public and particularly the when she was born and now, just 22, has most vulnerable in society - over 65s and those graduated from Plymouth Marjon University in with underlying health conditions as well as sports development. their carers - understand the things they can Read more. do to stay well this winter, and if they get ill, where to get advice and get well sooner. This includes a reminder to visit the pharmacist or contact NHS 111 at the first signs of illness, the importance of picking up prescriptions and staying warm over the winter months and checking in on elderly neighbours and relatives.

Contact Us: Sue Fuller on If you are interested in 07484673090 attending one of our Sue.Fuller@ workshops or to find bromleywell.org.uk or out more about our Chetan Raval on service please contact 07421106922 our Support and Chetan.Raval@ Information Officers: bromleywell.org.uk

11 Supporting People with Learning Disabilities

We support people who Monthly Workshops and Drop-ins have a learning disability We held two workshops towards the end of last or learning difficulty year. These were on the topics of ‘Staying Well through one-to-one in Winter’ and ‘Coping with Christmas’. During appointments, assisting our discussion on Staying Well in Winter, we in meetings or spoke about measures we can take to keep contacting organisations. ourselves and our homes warm and how we Our approach is to run a can avoid illnesses and the ‘winter blues’. person-centred service giving information, guidance and support. The Learning Disability When we met to talk about Coping with Pathway has recently supported in such Christmas, we discussed the stresses and matters as housing appointments, benefit social pressures that can cause us to feel assessments and tribunals, general overwhelmed at Christmas. We also looked correspondence and Freedom Pass Renewals. back on the workshops we have covered this year and which topics we would like to learn Outreach more about. We have continued to attend the outreach sessions in Cotmandene and Mottingham 2pm – 4pm on alternate Wednesdays. If you would find it easier to meet us at one of these venues rather than at our office on Masons Hill, please let us know and we will allocate you a time. Or you can just turn up on the day where we will see people on a first-come-first-served basis.

Call, text or email Rob Morgan if you would like any more information about the service on 020 8466 0790, mobile 07482 558 660 or email [email protected]

12 NEWS - Learning Disabilities

Freedom Pass Renewals For those with a Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass expiring March 31st 2020, you should have received a renewal form, which you will need to complete and return.

More here. If you need any support with your Freedom Pass Renewal please contact me – I’m happy to help!

Heart N Soul Pino, from the creative arts charity ‘Heart n Soul’ is conducting a research project at the Wellcome Collection in London. He has a learning disability and says “I’m fed up with being treated like a child rather than an adult. I’m not a child – I don’t play with toys.”

Through the questionnaire, Pino and his co-researchers are looking to challenge society’s attitudes towards people with learning disabilities and autism and find out how relationships between people who appear different can affect mutual wellbeing. “We hope you will give honest answers to questions like these, because we want to see a change in the way people with learning disabilities are treated.” The Heart N Soul at The Hub research project runs until October 2020; the surveys will run until spring 2020. You can complete the survey here.

Leighton Denny MBE Leighton Denny has become an ambassador for the British Dyslexia Association. He was excluded from school at 15, leaving compulsory education without a single qualification to his name. He was one of around 10 per cent of the UK population that has dyslexia, a learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling.

“When I was at school, dyslexia wasn’t recognised, I was just classed as thick. I wanted to learn but I couldn’t. I couldn’t get my head around the way they were teaching me. My head works differently. I’ve got more of a creative approach to things and textbook education isn’t very creative so I lost interest in things fast.” Leighton is one of the UK’s top nail and beauty experts, his star-studded client list featuring Kate Moss, Penelope Cruz and Adele. In 2015 he was awarded an MBE by the Queen for his services to business. More here.

13 Mutual Carers News and Events

The cookery club has been well attended with the group learning new, heathy recipes they can practise at home. Our Christmas lunch was a team effort with us cooking a full Christmas dinner in under 2 hours - a true achievement by all! We plan to explore and taste different vegetables in our February class. We will continue to learn about staying safe, sharing any worries in our peer group at the end of the session.

Cookery club dates for your diary – 7th February, 6th March and 3rd April.

Christmas lunch cooked in under two hours ……. Try beating that at home!!!

Our monthly Lunch Club for carers over 55 is a friendly lunch, providing a good opportunity for carers to make new friends and chat to other parents in a similar situation. There is a guest speaker at each lunch. Our lunches are very popular with around 25 carers attending each session.

On 21st February our guest speaker will be Sharon O’Connor from South East London Community Energy. This is a fun interactive workshop that provides top tips on saving energy and money.

To book your place please contact Tina Penn, Mutual Carers Support Worker on 020 8466 0790, Mobile 07719 426680. Normal working pattern: Monday, Thursday, Friday 9am – 5pm; Tuesday 9am – 1pm. Carers lunch dates for your diary: Dean Baldwin, Lifestyle Coordinator Long Term Health 20th March, 17th April, 15th May Conditions, giving a talk at our November lunch on postural stability and fall prevention.

14 Learning Disability Work Week

Bromley Mencap’s Step Forward Programme teamed up with Bromley Well to promote Learning Disability Work Week in November. Two workshops were held at United Reformed Church in Bromley. The topics for the workshops included success stories for people who have gained employment, interview techniques/skills and reasonable adjustments. One of the employers invited to the event was Bank of America and their team took part in interview role play.Both workshops were a huge success and we look forward to promoting the event again this year. Thank you to everyone who was involved. If you can offer an employment opportunity to somebody please contact the Education and Employment office on 0208 466 0791. For more information see the fact sheet on learning disability and employment: https://www.mencap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019-11/2019.097%20LDWW2019_Fact- sheets_v2.pdf The Monday Afternooners

For our final outing of 2019, The Monday Afternooners group held their Christmas Evening Meal at The Rose and Crown in Green Street Green.

The setting was very festive with a log fire burning in the background. There was a good varied menu including traditional roast, pies and fish and chips. After dessert we all took part in a little festive fun with the handing out and opening of presents from ‘Secret’ Santa.

Thank you! We would like to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers who have supported Monday Afternooners during 2019. Without their help the group would not be able to run.

15 Day Opportunities News

The Lodge Community Hub in Norman Park has been a hive of activity over the last few weeks of festive period. The catering students were busy running the kiosk, making delicious fresh coffees, teas and hot chocolates with marshmallows for our customers in the park! The Kiosk is dog friendly, has outside seating and we even have a free biscuit for your dog!

After the success of the Bromley Mencap Christmas Fair the catering and horticulture students at The Lodge were busy making more handmade, bespoke orders. They also set up a festive crafts table outside the kiosk to display their creations. The horticulture team also made some beautiful handmade wreaths and again continued to take orders from the Christmas Fair. The bicycle maintenance team at The Lodge managed to restore an impressive collection of bikes to display for sale before Christmas. There are still some recycled bikes available so if you are looking for a bike to help keep those New Year’s resolutions why not pop down to The Lodge and have a look at the bikes on offer?

The team have also been working on inspirational and motivational pieces to display whilst they work and have even created their very own GIF that you may have seen on our Twitter page!

16 Day Opportunities News

The Lodge is still offering a FREE cycling course for disabled adults every Wednesday at The Lodge from 10am-12pm. All of the students continue to enjoy regular walks and cycles around Norman Park as part of their healthy lifestyle approach.

The Day Opportunities groups have been super busy over the last few weeks trying out new recipes. They have made, from scratch, German gingerbread cake, sausage rolls and festive fairy cakes. They have designed their own T-shirts as part of their craft projects. The group made Christmas table decorations for their Christmas lunch, which they all helped to prepare and cook. There was also time for bingo and karaoke afterwards!

Happy New Year from The Lodge Community Hub and our Day Opportunities groups!

17 Step Forward 2019 Successes

Step Forward has had a brilliant year finding and securing employment opportunities for its candidates. Some of the jobs have been close to home, Toby Carvery and McDonald’s for example, and some have been in London including Sono International and Chopstix. As always, reasonable adjustments were discussed and put into place to make working life easier for all.

In the latter half of the year Step Forward has been working closely with Bank of America, in particular Pat Heavey, UK & Ireland Operations Director. After a successful workshop to mark Learning Disability Work Week, Step Forward candidates were invited to gain work experience at the bank’s head office in London. Sai, Mollie and Sean were invited to fundraise at the bank for their chosen charity, The Honey Pot. Sai and Mollie worked in a pop-up sweet shop and Sean was meeting and greeting. All three did a brilliant job, managing to raise over £300 - that’s £100 per hour!! Step Forward will continue to work with Bank of America and hopefully some paid outcomes will be coming our way.

Also Racheal from Step Forward gained some useful work experience at Certitude’s pop-up Christmas shop in the Glades.

18 Children’s Christmas Party

The Bromley Mencap Christmas Party, which was held at the United Reformed Church, went off with a buzz!

The children were entertained by a face painter, party games such as ‘pass the parcel’ and ‘limbo’, and also ‘Clee-J’, a children’s entertainer and DJ. The snow machine was especially a favourite for all the children.

All the children left the party with a full stomach of party food and a Christmas present.

Some comments from families who attended - ‘Thanks so much for the party, we had a lovely time. Have a lovely Christmas’ ‘Just wanted to say a huge thank you for organising the party yesterday. We all had an absolutely brilliant time. It’s not often she gets to enjoy something like this in an environment that she can be comfortable. We all really appreciate the hard work of all those involved.’

We are extremely grateful to The Masonic Province of West Kent Provincial Charity Committee on behalf of all the Brethren in West Kent for a donation of £750 towards the cost of our Christmas party.

19 The Edge @ The Green

On the edge of something new!

Are you a parent or carer of a child with Additional Needs, Special Educational Needs and/or Disability?

Then this group is for you!

We are a group of parents and carers that meet up to have coffee and cake, share ideas and support each other as we have one thing in common: We all have children with Additional Needs and/or SEND.

Dates: Every 2nd Monday of each Month

Time: 9.30am - 11.00am

Place: Green Street Green Baptist Church, 1 Worlds End Lane, BR6 6AA

Please do come along, you will be welcome.

For more information please email Becky or Beryl on:

[email protected]

'Every Day Gets Easier' with Parents for Parents

The Edge @ The Green

20 Star and Garter Peer Group

Are you a parent or carer of a child with a social communication difficulty or autism?

Fancy talking to others who know? We are parents or carers getting together to have a chat. No professionals. No organisations

When – The second Wednesday of the month Where – Star and Garter, 227 High St, Bromley BR1 1NZ Round table back left of the bar, Time – 7.30pm

Next few meetings in 2020 – Wednesday 12 Febuary, 11 March, 8 April

Contact – Face book – Bromley SEND Parents

Talking helps

21 FREE CYCLING COURSES FOR DISABLED ADULTS Have you...

l Wanted to learn to cycle but been put off by the busy roads?

l Wanted to cycle but haven’t got a bike?

l Got a bike but can’t afford to repair it?

New courses start every eight weeks at the Community Hub, Norman Park, Hook Farm Road, Bromley, BR2 9SX.

Courses will run for 8 weeks.

Courses run onWednesdays, 10am – 12 noon at our Community Hub in Norman Park

l Learn to cycle in the safety of a one mile purpose built circuit l Use one of our recycled bikes during the course l Learn basic maintenance skills so you can feel confident doing your own repairs! Courses are run by Bromley Mencap, supported by funding from Cycling Grants London.

For more information contact [email protected] or 020 8466 0790

22 Community Fundraising - Jane Barnes Music from theMo

Happy New Year and thank you to all our We were delighted to hold our second supporters for making our fundraising Christmas Fair at our Community Hub, the such a success in 2019. Lodge in Norman Park on 30th November. Students at the Lodge had been busying Christmas Fair, Carol Singing and Raffle making gifts and crafts to sell on the day. Our carol singing events were held at the Reconditioned bikes were on sale from our Glades, Bromley on several dates in centre, wreaths and festive hanging baskets December. We were delighted to be joined too. Our kiosk was busy all day selling hot by so many local school and community drinks and Grove Park Singers joined us to choirs which together raised £2,057. Thanks sing carols. Many customers enjoyed mince go to all the volunteers that helped collect pies, cakes and hot winter punch provided on these dates and to the choirs listed below by local stores Co-op, Waitrose and Sponge for supporting us. Kitchen. We are pleased to say we raised Biggin Hill Primary School, St George’s £728. Primary School, Blenheim Primary School, Tubbenden Primary School, Highway Primary School, Southborough Primary School, St Mary Cray Primary Academy, Crofton Primary School, St Paul’s Cray Primary Academy, Keston CE Primary School, St Nicholas CE Primary School, Green Street Green Primary School, Poverest Primary Many thanks to Fran Dillnutt and the Friends School, Velvet Harmony, Mottingham of Bromley choir for joining us at Tesco, Primary School and Soul Train Choir. Orpington and singing carols and Christmas songs in the foyer. These lovely ladies give up their time every year to sing for the customers and help us raise much needed funds. It is always a very busy time and huge thanks to our volunteers for collecting all day. The total for the day was an amazing £677.71.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Christmas raffle this year and congratulations to all the winners! £1,252 has been raised from the sale of tickets and we thank all the fantastic companies that donated prizes including Cannon Cars, Chapter One and Waitrose, Bromley South.

23 Waitrose & Co-op Thank you for the continued support we receive from local stores Waitrose & Co-op. We have received significant donations via their community schemes throughout 2019 and are extremely grateful for their help and also support from their customers. Please do support these schemes when shopping in store as it makes a huge difference to us. Thank you.

Declutter, Recycle and Raise Money If you are decluttering after Christmas please do pass on any unwanted gifts to us. These can be used for raffles and tombolas throughout the year and make a huge difference to our fundraising target. We also collect used stamps, coins, metals, ink cartridges & mobile phones for us to recycle. Take a look at our website for further details or contact me directly. Thank you to all our supporters who have continued to recycle items and send in gifts for our donations. We have been able to raise lots of money from tombolas and recycling over the years with your help.

Easyfundraising Planning on beating the January blues by booking your summer getaway? Whether it’s a city break or beach holiday, you can collect a free donation for us when you book it online with www.easyfundraising.co.uk and really help our fundraising get off to a flying start this year. Sign up today and start booking.

Quiz Nights at The Crown & Anchor A monthly quiz night will continue to be held at the Crown & Anchor, Bromley on Sundays. Please check our social media sites for updates throughout the year. All proceeds go to Bromley Mencap and quizzers can just turn up and pay on the night.

Thanks go to the following fundraisers and supporters: • Trinity URC Bromley for their generous donation of £313.35 • Morrisons, Petts Wood in-store collection - £212.47 • The Five Bells pub, Chelsfield Village for Christmas hamper raffle and raising £390 • The Bitter End, Bromley for Christmas hamper raffle which raised £198 • Mrs Waller for a donation of £26.33 • Family Choice, Hayes for collection tin amounting to £23.09 • Co-op Local Community Fund for a donation of £2,752.05 • Waitrose, Bromley for a donation of £280 • Colin Singer for a donation of £10 • Alan Porter for donating £62.50 • Adrian Evans for an online donation of £50

24 Fancy a challenge for 2020?! We have limited guaranteed places in two big events this year so take a look and sign up today!

The Vitality Big Half - 1st March The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 – London’s community half marathon Sunday 16th August welcomes participants of all ages, abilities Celebrating the legacy for cycling created by and levels of experience. Following much of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic the world-famous London Marathon route in Games, Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 reverse, The Vitality Big Half is a community starts from 05:45 in Queen Elizabeth Olympic running festival for everyone. The 13.1-mile Park, then follows a 100-mile route on closed race starts by Tower Bridge and finishes at roads through the capital and into Surrey’s the iconic Cutty Sark, passing through the stunning countryside. With leg-testing climbs boroughs of Southwark, Tower Hamlets, and a route made famous by the world’s best Lewisham and Greenwich. Participants will cyclists at the London 2012 Olympics, get support every step of the way from the it’s a truly spectacular event for all involved. cheering crowds and live music along the The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 route. This is a world-class running event that finishes on The Mall in central London, supports and encourages first-time runners shortly before 150 professional cyclists race to take part and creates opportunities for in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic people from all backgrounds to experience on a similar route. the health benefits of running. To register for a guaranteed place, please To register for a guaranteed place, please click here. The registration fee is £25 with an click here. The registration fee is £25 with an additional minimum fundraiser of £400.00 additional minimum fundraiser of £300.00 (excluding gift aid). (excluding gift aid).

Don’t forget you can keep updated on what is going on at Bromley Mencap by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

25 Copy deadline for March/April 2020 is 1st March

Editor: Luan Lanham, email: [email protected] Publisher: Bromley Mencap, Rutland House, 44 Masons Hill Bromley Kent BR2 9JG TEL: 020 8466 0790

The opinions expressed in Bromley Mencap Bulletin are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Bromley Mencap. We reserve the right to edit articles before publication.