May/June 2019

BULLETINMay/June 2019

CQC ‘Good’ rating!

Following an inspection of our Dom Care/PA Agency by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) we are delighted to report that we have retained our ‘Good’ rating.

The inspection rated the service as ‘Good’ across all five areas inspected. It was found to be a safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led service.

The full report can be read here https://www.cqc.org.uk/ location/1-278923729

What’s in this issue?

Hi everyone

Welcome to our spring edition of Bulletin. EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES 3 We have some great updates and pics of some of our members enjoying days out CHIEF EXECUTIVE recently, from the Monday Afternooners REPORT 4 and Children’s Wellbeing Service, to the Outdoor Club - it’s enough to want to make BROMLEY WELL you get out there in the sunshine! UPDATES 7-11

There’s all the usual event listings and INTRODUCING OUR NEW fundraising news for you too, and make CHILDREN’S WELLBEING sure you check out the details of our COORDINATOR 13 Summer Fair at The Lodge on June 15 (page 16) - everyone welcome! COMMUNITY 17-19 FUNDRAISING All the best,

Luan [email protected]

2 Events and Activities For more info or to book, please call the office on 020 8466 0790 MAY 24-May Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley 20-May Day Opportunities Programme - Bromley 24-May Bromley Well Older Carers Information Workshop and Lunch 20-May Monday Afternooners – Wingham Wildlife Park, Canterbury 28-May Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training 21-May Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training 28-May Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 21-May Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 28-May Family Coach Trip – London Zoo 21-May Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical Disabilities and Long 29-May Horticulture Training Term Health Conditions 29-May Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 22-May Horticulture Training 29-May Dance 18+ 22-May Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 29-May Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session 22-May Community Outreach Drop In 30-May Catering and Bike Recycling Training Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 22-May Keep Fit 18+ 30-May Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical Disabilities and Long 22-May Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session 30-May Term Health Conditions 22-May Bromley Well Workshop for People with Learning Disabilities 30-May Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Physical Disabilities 23-May Catering and Bike Recycling Training 31-May Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley 23-May Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 23-May Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Physical Disabilities JUNE 17-Jun Day Opportunities Programme - Bromley 03-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – Bromley 17-Jun Bromley Well Learning Disability Coffee Morning 04-Jun Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training 18-Jun Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training 04-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 18-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 04-Jun Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical Disabilities and Long 18-Jun Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical Disabilities and Long Term Health Conditions Term Health Conditions Horticulture Training 05-Jun 19-Jun Horticulture Training 05-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 19-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 05-Jun Keep Fit 18+ 19-Jun Keep Fit 18+ 05-Jun Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session 05-Jun Bromley Well Training Session - Working with Disabled People and Their 19-Jun Carers 20-Jun Catering and Bike Recycling Training 06-Jun Catering and Bike Recycling Training 20-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 06-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 20-Jun Outdoor Activities Club – Keston Evening Walk 06-Jun Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Physical Disabilities 20-Jun Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Physical Disabilities 07-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley 21-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley 07-Jun ASD Drop In – Airjump, Orpington 24-Jun Day Opportunities Programme - Bromley 07-Jun Bromley Well Cookery Club for Adults with Learning Disabilities 24-Jun Monday Afternooners – Trip to Eastbourne 10-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – Bromley 25-Jun Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training 10-Jun Bromley Well Workshop and Drop-in Session for People with Physical 25-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham Disabilities 26-Jun Horticulture Training 11-Jun Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training 26-Jun Keep Fit 18+ 11-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 27-Jun Catering and Bike Recycling Training 12-Jun Horticulture Training Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 12-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 27-Jun 12-Jun Keep Fit 18+ 27-Jun Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical Disabilities and Long 12-Jun Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session Term Health Conditions 13-Jun Catering and Bike Recycling Training 27-Jun Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Physical Disabilities 13-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 28-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley 13-Jun Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical Disabilities and Long 28-Jun Bromley Well Learning Disability Coffee Morning Term Health Conditions 28-Jun Bromley Well Older Carers Information Workshop and Lunch 13-Jun Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Physical Disabilities 29-Jun Community Outreach Drop In 14-Jun Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley 29-Jun Bromley Well Workshop for People with Learning Disabilities 14-Jun Bromley Well Learning Disability Coffee Morning JULY 09-Jul Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training 01-Jul Day Opportunities Programme – Bromley 09-Jul Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 02-Jul Catering, Horticulture and Bike Recycling Training 10-Jul Horticulture Training 02-Jul Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 10-Jul Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 02-Jul Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical Disabilities and Long Term Health Conditions 10-Jul Keep Fit 18+ 03-Jul Horticulture Training 10-Jul Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session 03-Jul Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 11-Jul Catering and Bike Recycling Training 03-Jul Keep Fit 18+ 11-Jul Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 03-Jul Bromley Well Learning Disability Outreach Session 11-Jul Bromley Well Job Search Club for People with Physical Disabilities and Long 04-Jul Catering and Bike Recycling Training Term Health Conditions 04-Jul Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham 11-Jul Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Physical Disabilities 04-Jul Bromley Well Outreach Session for People with Physical Disabilities 12-Jul Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley 05-Jul Day Opportunities Programme – West Wickham and Bromley 12-Jul Bromley Well Learning Disability Coffee Morning 05-Jul ASD Drop In –Airjump, Orpington 12-Jul Bromley Well Cookery Club for Adults with Learning Disabilities 08-Jul Day Opportunities Programme – Bromley 3 CHIEF EXECUTIVE REPORT EDDIE LYNCH

NEW JOINT LEARNING DISABILITY STRATEGY

The London Borough of Bromley and Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group are developing a new joint Learning Disability Strategy. Work on the Strategy will include full engagement with people with learning disabilities (children and adults), parents, carers, providers and key stakeholders.

The work is now underway and a co-production programme has been developed to enable people with learning disabilities to be fully involved in and to support the Learning Disability Strategy. The Strategy will focus on improving access to universal services and reduce reliance on statutory health and social care services except where necessary. The promotion of education, training, paid employment, independent living, meaningful relationships and maintaining good health will all be part of the Strategy.

A range of facilitated and inclusive focus groups and meetings are currently taking place with established groups and organisations which provide services for people with learning disabilities. An easy read questionnaire is being circulated widely and everyone is encouraged to respond. It’s important to get the views of as many people as possible.

Bromley Third Sector Enterprise is overseeing the consultation work for the long term Strategy. The Strategy will be available later in the year and we hope that it will lead to meaningful lives for people with learning disabilities.

4 Our round-up of local and NEWS national disability news CORNER and developments Volunteer Needed Sports Sector ‘Needs to do more’ Do you have a few hours a week to spare? New research, from our Get Yourself Active We are looking for a volunteer to support our Project shows that the sports sector could play Bromley Well telephone call service which a key role in getting disabled people more supports people with a physical disability active – but that it needs to improve awareness and people with a learning disability, who and access to facilities and services. More here may fall into isolation. You will be able to work from home, hours are flexible and full training will be given. To find out more information please contact Sue Fuller on 020 8466 0790 or email [email protected]

Learning Disability Health Survey Supporting Disabled People to Work Report Doctors in Bromley A new National Audit Office report finds the are encouraging DWP has no real strategy for helping disabled people with learning people into work. Disability Rights UK says disabilities to make “The narrative needs to change from focusing sure they have their annual health check with on reducing the benefits bill and punishment their GP. The check helps to keep people well through sanctions to supporting disabled and pick up any problems at an early stage. people to use our skills to reach our full In Bromley only half of those entitled to the potential and take our place as equal citizens in check are actually having one. To help NHS society.” More here Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group understand why this is and how they can Mencap Learning Disability Survey get more people to have their annual check, Mencap is running a survey on learning please complete their survey here disability. This survey is a chance for people with a learning disability to tell Mencap about Mindfulness and Learning Disability their everyday lives and things that are Good practice guidelines for mindfulness important to them such as health, and Learning Disability are hosted at Bangor relationships, and inclusion. Full details on the University website here survey can be found here

NHS Long Term Health Plan Survey Here is your chance to have your say or comment on the NHS’s Long Term Health Plan. Click here for the link to the survey supported by Healthwatch. 5

FREE CYCLING COURSES FOR DISABLED ADULTS

Have you

- Wanted to learn to cycle but been put off by the busy roads? - Wanted to cycle but haven’t got a bike? - Got a bike but can’t afford to repair it?

Courses run for 8 weeks throughout the year.

The first course starts on Wednesday 1st May, 10am – 12 noon at our Community Hub in Norman Park, Hook Farm Road, Bromley, BR2 9SX

- Learn to cycle in the safety of a one mile purpose built circuit - Use one of our recycled bikes during the course - Learn basic maintenance skills so you can feel confident doing your own repairs!

Courses are run by Bromley Mencap, supported by funding from Cycle London Grants.

For more information contact

[email protected] or 020 8466 0790

Bromley Mencap Tel: 020 8466 0790 Registered Office: Fax: 020 8466 7102 Rutland House

44 Masons Hill [email protected] Bromley Mencap Ltd. A Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No: 2179385. Registered Charity Number: 800685 Bromley, Kent BR2 9JG www.bromleymencap.org.uk

6 Mutual Carers News and Events

The Bromley Well Mutual Carers Support Service provides services to families who are in a mutually caring situation. We aim to help families to remain living together, independently, safely and in a way which connects them to the wider community for as long as possible.

In addition we run a monthly Information Workshop and Lunch for Older Carers (aged 55+) which provides a forum where older carers can meet, participate in a workshop of interest to them and socialise with other carers in a similar situation.

For the adult mutually caring dependents we run a monthly Adult Cookery Class which promotes healthy eating and teaches independent kitchen skills.

Through the Older Carers Information Workshop and Lunch we recently heard about the benefits of having good home cooked food delivered by the Wiltshire Farm Foods (WFF) company. They can deliver foods that match specific dietary requirements as well as simple balanced meals.

Feedback from WFF showed that they had received several enquiries from carers who had learned about the service through our workshop and lunch. A great result!

Future Information Workshops will include guest speakers from:

24th May 2019 – Dr Sandra Baum – Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust – Bereavement and Loss 28th June 2019 – Beverley Williams – The Benefits of Massage and Complimentary Therapy 26th July 2019 – Helen Sharpe – Bromley’s new Learning Disability Strategy

Claire Lovis, Thackray Williams Cooking up a Lasagne Storm Mental Capacity & The Law

7 Supporting People with • Physical Disabilities Bromley Well supports people with physical In our April workshop, we received a disabilities with a range of services: presentation from Bromley Trading Standards • Transport solutions such as blue badge, Taxi by Rob Vale. Rob presented a slide show card, Freedom Passes and dial a ride covering a range of topics within his role. The • Information, advice and emotional support event was interactive and involved everyone • Support at medical appointments, DWP who attended. Rob discussed cyber fraud such assessments and tribunals as emails from the Inland Revenue demanding • Monthly workshops on a range of different monies. Rob also discussed the types of door topics and weekly drop-ins step crime such as rogue builders visiting the • Telephone support service for isolated borough, what to look out for and the people necessary checks such as Check a Trade before • Grant applications committing to a builder. We also discussed • Assistive technology hints and tips to stay safe from telephone crime We continue to see a lot of demand for our such as bogus calls from banks. Rob handed workshops and have moved to a larger hall to out a variety of materials to stay safe such as a accommodate more people. No Cold Calling sticker for the front door, cup mats with the phone number of the Trading Our workshops Standards Rapid Response Team and a booklet In March, we delivered Healthy Eating, which about cyber-crime. covered the different types of food groups that Future workshop dates: go into a balanced meal. The group enjoyed an • Monday 13th May: Grants and specialist interactive exercise on placing food types on holidays the Eat Well plate. We explained the benefits • Monday 10th June: Coping with hot weather of using the traffic light system for foods and • Monday 15th July: Debt/Budgeting how it works. Some delegates downloaded the If you are not already receiving information Change For Life App which can be used when about the workshops and would like to find shopping to make healthy impartial choices. out more, please contact us. These events are Everyone was then issued with an Eat Well Plate free, informative and an opportunity to meet to use at home as a guide, a copy of the traffic people. Refreshments are served. light system for foods when shopping and a copy of The Best 50 Superfoods. Drop-ins: We hold weekly drop-ins at two One delegate mentioned that they have made locations in the borough. We are at healthier choices and are eating more fruit and Mottingham and Cotmandene on alternate vegetables since coming on this workshop. Thursdays. These sessions are for information and advice, emotional support and help with letters and paperwork. Mottingham Community & Learning Shop: 1-2 Cranley Parade, Mottingham, SE9 4DZ; Thursday 2 - 4pm16th May, 30th May, 13th June and 27th June Cotmandene Community Resource Centre: 64 Cotmandene Crescent, St Pauls Cray, BR5 2RG; Thursday 1-3pm, 23rd May, 06th June and 20th June

8 Alice Tai and Reece Dunn Win golds Britain’s Alice Tai won two gold medals and NEWS - set a new world record on the final night Physical Disabilities of the British Para-swimming International Meet in Glasgow Blind Veterans UK in Bromley https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability- Blind Veterans UK provide vision-impaired sport/48087742 Armed Forces and National Service veterans with services and tailored support to discover life beyond sight loss. Support includes: • helping veterans relearn vital life skills • providing tools people need to be independent in their own homes • offering new learning, training and recreation opportunities • providing long-term nursing, residential and respite care. In Bromley, they organise a pub lunch a few Minister calls on businesses to reveal how times a year for members to meet and many disabled staff they employ socialise, as well as occasional outings. If Minister for Disabled People, Health and you or anyone you work with has served in Work Sarah Newton has urged large the UK forces and now have a sight difficulty employers to build more inclusive you could become a member via their workforces and report how many disabled website https://www.blindveterans.org.uk staff they employ. https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/ Free mini-course for over 50s with age minister-calls-on-businesses-to-reveal-how- related hearing loss many-disabled-staff-they-employ/54888/ deafPLUS is running this free course, “Living with Hearing Loss” for over 50s in boroughs around London. It’s run over 7 weeks, once a week for 2 hours each time, with speakers invited to talk about different topics e.g. communication, tinnitus, confidence and improving your health and wellbeing. Community House, South Street, Bromley BR1 1RH on Thursday 4th July-15th August 2019 from 11am - 1pm. Full details here How to Contact Us: If you are interested in attending one of London Marathon 2019: our workshops or would like to find out Johnboy Smith on why more about our service please contact one ‘there is life after dis- of our Support and Information Officers: ability’ Sue Fuller on 07484673090 or email Johnboy was just 16 years [email protected] old when his life changed Chetan Raval on 07421106922 or email in a split second. [email protected] https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability- sport/47983114 9 Supporting People with Learning Disabilities

We support people who have relationships with our MPs, voting rights, how a learning disability and/or to register to vote, what an MP does, and learning difficulty through 1-2- differences of responsibilities between 1 appointments, assisting in Parliament and Council. Our workshop in April meetings or contacting was on Exercise and Staying Healthy. Matt Yule organisations. We run a person- taught us some T’ai Chi and we spoke about centred service giving information, guidance various exercises we can incorporate into our and support. The Learning Disability service has daily life that will keep us healthy. Afterwards, recently supported in matters around benefits we assisted Kings College Hospital by tribunals, child protection meetings, budgeting providing feedback about an Easy Read advice and Freedom Passes. questionnaire they are publishing. A big thank you to all of those who Big Health Day contributed and came along. Rob was pleased to attend the Big Health Day, organised by Bromley Together in April. The Outreach event was very well attended and, with a stand We have continued to attend the outreach in the main hall, he was able to meet some sessions in Cotmandene and Mottingham familiar faces and talk about the service to new 2pm – 4pm every other Wednesday. If you clients and professionals. would find it easier to meet us at one of these Monthly Workshops and Drop-ins venues rather than at our office on Masons Hill, please let us know and we will allocate you a time. Or you can turn just up on the day where we will see people on a first-come-first-served basis. We have also continued to run sessions from Bromley Jobcentre Plus on Thursday afternoons, meeting people or supporting at their appointments. If you would like to meet us there, or have an appointment you would like us to support at, please ask your work coach or advisor and they will make you an appointment with us. We were delighted with the turnout for our recent workshops. In March we had a forum Another session we run is the Community where, guided by Sue Potter, we were asked to House Coffee Morning in Mrs B’s Café. We meet give our thoughts on the Learning Disability every other Friday at 10am for a chat and, if you web page for Bromley Well. As Sue is the would like to speak to Rob about any concerns, communications officer and works on the web he can find a quiet place to look over any page she was very grateful for the level of letters or talk about a particular issue and they feedback she received. Following this, we had will make you an appointment with me. a talk from Matt Harrison, Parliamentary Affairs Officer at the Royal Mencap Society and Ismail Call, text or email Rob Morgan if you would Kaji, Parliamentary Support Officer. Matt and like any more information about the Ismail spoke about the need to get our voices Learning Difficulty service on 020 8466 0790, heard, which struck a chord with many at the mobile 07482 558 660 or email workshop. They also advised us on how to build [email protected] 10 What would you do? NHS Long Term Plan NEWS - Healthwatch Bromley has launched the ‘What Learning Disabilities Would You Do?’ campaign to ask borough residents what they would change about the Autism & Shopping NHS. Residents across the borough of Zak Mohamed, aged 20, has severe autism Bromley are being asked for their views on but his mother Nura is determined that he how the NHS should be improved locally to should learn to live as independently as influence the Bromley and South East London possible. She sets him the challenge of local NHS Long Term Plan. The NHS wants to learning to go shopping at the supermarket get better at looking after people with cancer, and cook himself a meal - something fraught lung and heart diseases, mental illness, with difficulties for someone with his dementia, learning disabilities, and autism. You condition. The BBC followed Zak to see how can complete the survey here https://www. he got on and you can watch the short film healthwatch.co.uk/what-would-you-do-gener- here https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk- al england-bristol-47090187/how-does-someone-with-autism-go-shopping At 42, I was diagnosed with a ‘hidden disability’ Clare Empson has written a piece for The Telegraph about what it is like to find out you have dyspraxia. She talks about the many aspects of the condition, such as trips and falls which she had attributed to ‘clumsiness’ as being indicators that there was a specific diagnosis. She writes, “Put simply it’s a neurological disorder which means sometimes the wiring doesn’t work. Messages Specialist Dyslexia Teachers from your brain just don’t get through to the A cross-party group of MPs has said that relevant parts of your body. Between 5 and 10 every school should have specialist support per cent of the population is thought to have for children with dyslexia. dyspraxia, but it is still drastically under-researched. A report from the All-Party Parliamentary I was 42 when I finally accepted I was Group for Dyslexia and other Specific dyspraxic, something I’d suspected for years. I’d Learning Differences says that 10-15 per cent been driving my three-year-old to a of people have the condition, making it the birthday party, following “dead simple” “most common specific learning difference” directions from my hostess, looking forward in the UK. The report says the British Dyslexia to the pirate-themed afternoon (with a glass Association believes that “the clearest of champagne for the adults). But we never solution” lies in the training of specialist got there. I drove round in circles for an hour dyslexia teachers. It adds: “Such teachers before I and my tear-stained pirate conceded would be able to support learners, oversee defeat.” She goes on to say that, having been and direct teaching and support provision, diagnosed, she has been able to access and carry out diagnostic assessments that support and has developed a change of identify individual needs. approach. For example, she will leave more https://www.tes.com/news/school-failings- time for planning a new journey. leave-dyslexic-pupils-feeling-stupid-unval- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/ ued-and-guilty body/42-diagnosed-hidden-disability/ 11 The Monday Afternooners

In March The Monday Afternooners went ten pin bowling. It was a very competitive game with a top score on the day from Kevin with 136 points. It was great fun with everyone taking part. Afterwards we finished the day with a lovely pub lunch.

The following month, the group visited The Kent Life Museum near Maidstone. Here there was a unique look back at traditional Kent life. We were able to explore the gardens, visit a collection of historic buildings and learn about life as a ‘hopper’ working on the hop fields in the summer. We enjoyed a ride around the whole site on the land train as well as meeting some of the animals such as owls, goats, shire horses and pigs.

Thank you to Becky Hines for the lovely photographs taken on the day. Our next outing is on 20th May when we will be visiting The Wingham Wild Life Centre.

12 Introducing...

Hi, my name is Pete Hickman and I am the new Children’s Wellbeing Coordinator. I have been working for Bromley Mencap for four months and am currently in the process of promoting a brand new and exciting service funded by Children in Need. I will be delivering a number of tailored workshops, activities and family days out to a wide range of families across the borough, but more on that later…

I am delighted to be a part of the Bromley Mencap team. I originally trained as a Drama teacher before going on to work in SEN. I have over seven years’ experience working in a supportive capacity. However, I now look forward to transferring my skills in the hope of creating a truly positive service.

Easter: A World of Adventures Easter: A World of Adventures During the Easter Holidays the Children’s Wellbeing Service took 27 families on a day trip to Chessington World of Adventures. Despite the weather’s best efforts to spoil things everybody had a fantastic time; making the most of the shorter queue times.

Many of the families also braved some of the park’s scarier rides, staff were not so brave but were happy to support in more practical ways and look after the bags…

13 The Outdoor Club - Walk at High Elms

On a sunny day, the Outdoor Club met at High Elms Country Park for a guided walk with Ian Breslin and Matt Yule.

After a bracing walk, participants visited the café for much needed refreshments and a chat.

Another great day out!

Keep Fit 2019

This year’s ‘Showtime Shake About’ Keep Fit classes got off to a great start and once again the classes are fully booked.

It was great to see many of our regular ‘keep fitters’ who said it was ‘great to be back’ and we welcome our new members who are looking forward to the classes.

LEISURE CARE Sports and physical activity for adults with learning disabilities Get active, feel better, have fun

Bromley Golf Centre, Magpie Hall Lane, Bromley THURSDAYS 10-1pm Golf, physical activity and games £12.00 includes lunch and drinks

New additional activity no extra charge Thursday afternoon 4 weeks WINDOW BOXES AND PLANTERS

Learn new arts & crafts and gardening skills all at once! Design planters & containers & fill with herbs, flowers or plants.

06/06/19 to 27/06/19 1-3pm [email protected] tel: 07535 647660

15 Tombola & Raffle

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Gifts & Homemade crafts

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Cake stall & cafe

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Reconditioned bikes on sale

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Lucky Dip

──── SATURDAY FREE Parking 15 JUNE

SUMMER FAIR BROMLEY MENCAP 020 8466 0790

12 – 3PM www.bromleymencap.org.uk

At our Community Hub at the Lodge, contact: Norman Park jane.barnes@bromleymenca (Hook Farm p,org or Road entrance) caroline.stone@bromleymen cap.org Bromley

Entry £2 - Kids go free

16 Community Fundraising - Jane Barnes Virgin London Marathon

We were delighted to have a team of runners in the Virgin Money London Marathon this year. The Alesco Team were raising money for various charities which included Bromley Mencap. Rob Neighbour was the team member who nominated Bromley Mencap and some of you will know his mother, Kim Neighbour, who has been a staff member for many years. A Bromley Mencap Cheer Team supported Rob on the day and he finished in an amazing 3 hours and 57 seconds. What a fantastic achievement!

Here is what Rob had to say about the day: “The London Marathon was an unbelievable day in many ways. The level of support was fantastic and really helped to push me on in the early stages. The route got really tough around the 23 mile marker and I had to remind myself of why I was running and what I was raising for to keep me going. We are delighted as a team to have reached and gone through our target and so pleased that we are able to support such a worthy charity as Bromley Mencap who are doing so much in the local community.”

Rob and his team’s fundraising page has reached over £26,750 so that means that Bromley Mencap will receive a donation in excess of £2,600! Huge thanks to Rob and the team and, if you missed the chance to support him earlier, then there is still time to donate to his page here https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/Alesco

Abseil Summer Challenge The abseil event originally booked for March was unfortunately cancelled due to weather conditions. The good news is that it has been rebooked for two dates in June and October. The summer event will be taking place on Sunday 30 June and if you would like to take part then please sign up here: https://live.protectedpayments.net/pm3API/asp/PMWeb1?charity Ref=1105834S&campaignRef=7014G000001rZcp&DLcnp=jdi Beverley has already signed up and is busy fundraising so if you would like to support her then take a look at her page here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/sho wROFundraiserPage?userUrl=BeverleyWilliams9&pageUrl=1 Come along on the day and be part of our cheer team. T-shirts are provided for anyone that would like to join us.

Co-op Local Community Fund Just a reminder that we are currently one of the local charities supported by Co-op Local Community Fund. The Co-op Local Community Fund will give 1% of everything Co-op members spend on Co-op branded products and services until October this year to fund local causes. Become a Co-op member today, if you aren’t already, and sign in to your account to select your cause at www.coop.co.uk/membership You can find out how the fund works and choose Bromley Mencap as your local cause to support!

17 Quiz nights at The Hop & Rye Mike Deves, one of our trustees, has been running monthly quiz nights at The Hop & Rye pub in Bromley which has raised over £1,800. Sadly the pub is closing down on 12th May so Mike will be looking for a new venue to hold his quiz night in the future. If anyone has any suggestions for a suitable venue please get in touch. Huge thanks to Mike and the staff and management at the Hop and Rye for all their amazing fundraising to date.

In memoriam We would like to acknowledge our thanks for donations received in lieu of flowers from Mrs Sotira Psaras in memory of her husband which total £595 and £10 from Mrs R Barnes in lieu of flowers for Mr Alan Cushing. We are extremely grateful for these donations.

Summer events We will be attending several summer events this year and hope you can come along to support us. As ever, we need volunteers to join us and help to make these a success so if you can spare an hour or two to help please contact me. Here are dates for the next couple of months for your diaries.

Date Event & Location Times Saturday 18 May Pratts Bottom Village Fete 10am – Pratts Bottom Green. Rushmore Hill 4pm Saturday 13 June Bromley Mencap’s Summer Fair 10am – Community Hub at the Lodge, Norman Park, Bromley 3pm Saturday 22 June Chislehurst Rocks! 10am – Chislehurst Recreation Ground, Chislehurst BR7 5BQ 12pm

Thanks go to the following fundraisers and supporters: • Waitrose Beckenham Community • Donation of £130.56 from Lesley Hine via Matters scheme donation of £304 GiveaCar scheme • Rotary Club Addington & Shirley for their • All Saints Church, Orpington for allowing charity donation of £500 us to host a charity lunch for members • Two Doves pub for collection tin and raising £136 donations totalling £48.85 • Masonic Charitable Trust for a donation • GPM Ltd London for collecting tin of £250 donations of £26.73 • Sharks Swim Club for organising a • Donation from 27th Bromley Scout sponsored Long Swim and raising Group / World Jamboree group of £1,297.50 £314.50

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

18 Dates for your 2019 diary

April June June June 28th 15th 29th 30th Virgin Money Summer Fair Summer Raffle & Summer Abseil London Marathon Join us Volunteer Garden Party Thomas Place, Want to take part? at the Community Hub at the Community Hub, Maidstone Why not run for at the Lodge, Norman Park. Take part in a 100ft abseil for Bromley Mencap! Norman Park. Be sure to buy your tickets Bromley Mencap. Registration Contact us now to book Craft stalls, music to entertain, for a chance to win! £25. Minimum of £75 cakes and refreshments Invitation only sponsorship required

August September September September 4th 21st 22nd 28th Prudential Ride Swim Serpentine Dragon Boat Race Night at the Movies London-Surrey 100 Take part in this open water at Mote Park, Maidstone. Enjoy a 2 course meal Limited places so register event. Make a splash with entertainment from the today to take part in this Register for a half, one or for Bromley Mencap All Saints Concert Band. iconic ride. two mile swim and sign up and be part of our Music from the movies. £25 registration & £350 to raise money dragon boat team minimum pledge for Bromley Mencap

October October Other challenges available 5th 5th Winter Abseil Quiz night throughout the year Thomas Place, at St George’s Church Hall, Up at The O2 Maidstone Bickley 7.30pm to 9.30pm Bring your own drinks and Climb The O2 Arena and enjoy spectacular 360 degree Take part in a 100ft abseil for nibbles and settle down for views of London. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable Bromley Mencap. Registration a great evening. 90-minute experience which will take you on an uplifting £25. Minimum of £75 Tickets £8 per person, expedition across the roof of the world’s most sponsorship required teams of up to 8 popular entertainment venue. Under 18s must be with an adult & one adult to every two children. Group or single bookings available. November December Contact us for further details. 30th 5th Wing Walk Christmas Fair Carol Singing at the Glades, Bromley Fancy standing on the top wing of a vintage bi-plane Join us as you fly through the air at speeds of around 135mph Come & help our at the Community Hub - all to raise money for charity? at the Lodge, volunteers collect whilst Norman Park. enjoying the school choirs Tandem Skydive Craft stalls, mince pies and singing carols Tandem skydive is the easiest and most popular of all Santa skydives. It requires only 30 minutes of training before you then jump strapped to your instructor, allowing you to enjoy the exhilarating feeling of flying through the clouds from over 10,000 feet at up to 120 mph! December December It is a truly unforgettable experience. 12th 15th Carol Singing at the Carol Singing at Abseil ArcelorMittal Orbit Glades, Bromley Tesco, Orpington Experience the most spectacular views of London, whilst Come & help our volunteers Join in the festive singing dangling in free space, 80 metres above the ground! collect whilst enjoying the from local choirs Abseiling down the ArcelorMittal Orbit will be an school choirs singing carols and help our volunteers experience you will never forget. collecting

Dates and details of the events may change so please check our website www.bromleymencap.org.uk or contact [email protected] for further details, to check availability and to make bookings

Bromley Mencap Ltd. A Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No: 2179385. Registered Charity No: 800685

19 Copy deadline for July/August 2019 is 1st July

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.