Catherine Gray

We’re excited to announce Heart of England Mencap has been chosen as one of Johnsons Coaches Charities of the Year for 2025!

Thank you for choosing to support us and the people that we support.

Read all about our partnership on their website https://bit.ly/4ikIB0R

Click below to see the video of our coach trip!

Heart of England Mencap has been privileged to welcome another intern from the University of Warwick to the team this summer. Amy Bill joined us for six weeks as our Digital Marketing Intern – playing a key role in supporting our internal and external communications.

We say a big thank you to Amy for being such a brilliant part of our team – we hope we have given you an insight into the huge variety of careers the charity sector offers, and the difference you can make.

Amy, who has just graduated from studying her BA in Philosophy and Literature, details her experience for us:

“I have always been passionate about social issues and wanted to work in the charity sector after university. While I am still figuring out what is right for me, I would like to try working with a lot of different organisations and help out wherever I can, learning new skills.

“I found the digital marketing internship advertised through the Warwick Internship Programme platform and was interested by the relationship the organisation seemed to have with its customers. The aim of providing ‘just enough’ support to help those using the services live a fulfilling life tailored to their individual needs really resonated with my own beliefs and person-centred values.”

During her internship, Amy has been creating internal and external communications, including templates for newsletters and social media campaigns. She created and ran a marketing campaign for Heart of England Mencap’s involvement in the Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay, which also launched our new accessible cycling programme.

She said: “This has been my first experience in a professional working environment, and I think it has been a great introduction to the working world. I have been challenged by having to complete a wide variety of tasks, learning new skills from each, and being offered support whenever I have needed it. Everyone in the office has also been so welcoming and put me at ease from day one.

“My favourite moment has been attending the Baton Relay event and getting to see the customers enjoying the services I have been marketing! It really made me feel like I have been doing work which genuinely makes a difference to the organisation and put into perspective how the work I have done will be carried forward after I leave.

“Thank you to everyone I’ve been working with! It’s been lovely to be around such passionate people who have put so much effort into making sure I get the most out of this experience.”

The vision was to set up a ‘day centre without walls’ – a place where local people with learning disabilities could be as much a part of the community as anyone else.

Fast forward a decade and Mencap Pathway, run by Heart of England Mencap, has achieved just that, celebrating its 10th birthday with a party at Stratford Town Hall on Saturday July 23rd – and reflecting on the countless opportunities it has enabled.

Pathway now runs not just in Stratford where it started, but also in Warwick and Malvern, providing empowering and meaningful day activities for adults and young people with learning and physical disabilities.

From cooking to gardening, swimming to cycling, drama, singing, photography, art, science and core skills like maths, reading and writing, it’s an individually-tailored service which focuses on abilities and not disabilities.

Some 260 Pathway sessions are now accessed each week, with active involvement in the community playing a key part too. There are lots of trips out and opportunities to volunteer, helping to litter pick with Rubbish Friends or lending a hand at Mary Arden’s Farm.

Pathway was the vision of its founder Jake Thornton, who said: “A decade ago during a time of many council-run day centre closures, my mission behind setting up Mencap Pathway was to create something new and radically different for our customers. Pathway could be summed up as ‘a day centre without walls’ – the aim was for our customers to become as much a part of the community as anyone else, through our activities and continuous community participation.”

Kate Buttrick, Health and Wellbeing Programme Manager for Heart of England Mencap, was also there at the start.

She says: “From being one of the original team to now, I can truly say this has been the best 10 years in my working life. We have achieved so much over the years and managed to overcome many obstacles. Between the staff, past and present, we’ve built many vibrant, person-centered, multi-activity centers to help people with a learning disability and autism achieve their personal goals – whilst having much fun and laughter along the way.”

Whilst the last two years have thrown up so many challenges, the Pathway team have been committed to continuing their support throughout, setting up online groups and sending activity packages home when it wasn’t possible to be together in person because of Covid restrictions. 

Pathway highlights include cycling in the Forest of Dean, a photography exhibition at Shakespeare’s New Place and the drama group’s 2021 production of ‘A Christmas Carol’.

At its heart, it’s about the smaller moments too; giving people choice, developing skills, increasing independence, building friendships and sharing a lot of smiles.

Sandra says: “I love going to Pathway and I go 5 days a week!  My favorite activities are cooking, exercise class on Fridays and listening to my music.  I like meeting new people at Pathway and the staff are really friendly.”

Russell says: “Coming to Pathway has given me lots of chances to try new things like volunteering at Mary Arden’s and the Apple Farm.  I also like to help staff at the day centre.  I’ve made new friends and I always feel happy when I’m here.”

Diane says: “I wanted to join Pathway to see my old school friends but I’ve made new friends too!  I have learnt new skills like painting and upcycling.  I learn better here because the staff help me.  I’ve been given opportunities to try new activities which I’ve never done before and I like being part of a team that helps other people.”

For more information on Pathway and getting involved, call 01789 298709.

All abilities came together to celebrate as the Queen’s Baton Relay made its way through Stratford, with an accessible cycling session pedalling to success.

Heart of England Mencap was honoured to be part of the action as the baton-bearers made their way to the Recreation Ground’s ‘learn to ride’ cycle track on Friday, July 22nd.

We ran ‘Cyc-Ability’ sessions throughout the afternoon, for anyone keen to saddle up and have a go on a range of accessible bikes.

It was all about promoting the importance of delivering inclusive community-based activities which all can enjoy.

Kate Buttrick, Health & Well-being Programme Manager for Heart of England Mencap, said: “We had a fantastic day celebrating the Queen’s Baton Relay. It was wonderful to see so many of the people that we support and so many people from the local community all coming together to enjoy our accessible Cyc-Ability sessions, helping us to promote inclusivity and celebrate all abilities. A big thank you to all those who supported us on the day – especially Stratford Bike Hire, Cycle Projects and our volunteer Rod Jones.”

Heart of England Mencap will be running more Cyc-Ability sessions throughout the year – for more information email kbuttrick@heartofenglandmencap.org.uk

Maria and Shivorne were nominated for staff recognition by their colleagues, for their commitment to our values, and for going above and beyond for the people we support. We were told so many wonderful things about each of them, here’s a flavour…

“Maria is one of a kind…She isn’t someone that ever wants or needs recognition, but she deserves it…I can think of quite a few customers that she’s helped get so far because of her persistence and communications with outside agencies…If I could be half the person she is in 10 years I would feel I had made a solid difference to the people we support…”

“Shivorne ticks all of our boxes for our values… She is a very caring and hard-working individual, not only with the people she looks after when she’s at work, but also thinking of them outside of her working hours…She doesn’t just love her job, she loves the adults she works with and the staff…I’m really proud she is a part of Heart of England Mencap and I know that everyone who knows Shivorne is proud to know her.”

Keep your ‘Give a Heart’ nominations coming in – we will be announcing a winner (or winners) each month! Anyone can make a nomination – just tell us who you are nominating and which of our values they demonstrate and how!

Send their name and a few words to heart@heartofenglandmencap.org.uk

We’re looking for new Trustees to further strengthen our Board – if you are looking for an opportunity to really make an impact, we would love to hear from you!

We welcome ALL skills – whether that’s charity, corporate or real life.

You don’t need to arrive with experience – what’s really important is your passion to support us and make a difference.

We’re an established charity covering South Warwickshire and North Worcestershire, supporting adults with a learning disability to live their best life.   Through the provision of Supported Living, Respite, and Day Services we strive to be the best in our field.

We’re looking for people who can demonstrate they have the dedication and innovation to make a positive impact on the lives of people with a learning disability.   People to champion disabled people’s rights and their meaningful inclusion in community life.

We want people with passion, people who want to speak up for those without a voice, people who can relate to those we support and share our charity’s key values: 

Honest – Effective – Aspirational – Respectful – Trustworthy

Our priority is to have an inclusive Board of Trustees, consisting of a range of experiences and perspectives. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply especially people who have skills or life experience in any of the following areas:

• Mental Health

• Disability

• Marginalised groups

• Social Housing

• NHS

We also welcome applications from young people looking for their first role as a trustee and offer the opportunity to develop in a role where you really can make a difference. We’re keen to hear from BAME candidates too, as we continue to diversify the make-up of our Board to reflect the celebrated cultural differences in our communities.

As a member of the Board of Trustees, you will play an important part in an enthusiastic and energised team. Your contribution will help to shape the organisation for the future, working effectively with the Executive team to ensure our business plans are delivered in line with the strategic objectives.

As a Trustee, we would be looking for a commitment of approximately 15 hours per month. This is a voluntary, unpaid position, however, mileage and agreed expenses would be payable. The reward is knowing you are making a real difference to the lives of vulnerable people!

Please get in touch for a chat – email: HR@heartofenglandmencap.org.uk or call 01789 298709. Thank you! 

It’s time to Give a Heart with our new staff appreciation initiative!

This is your chance to nominate one of our team members for an award if you think they demonstrate the values of Heart of England Mencap.

Honest – Effective – Aspirational – Respectful – Trustworthy

Anyone can make a nomination, whether you’re a colleague, customer, friend, or family member.

All you need to do is email heart@heartofenglandmencap.org.uk telling us who you’re nominating and giving us a short description of which value you think they demonstrate and why!