February 15, 2014
Football Success
The Football Team at their disability tournament.
Our football team had a great day at their latest Somerset FA Ability Counts league fixture. 2 wins and 1 draw. Well done boys, you’re doing great!
March 14, 2014
Race Night
We are delighted that our first ever Race Night was a success! A fun and lively evening and great fun had by all. The evening raised a fantastic £945 for the Society.
Horse races were shown on the big screen with guests invited to place bets on their chosen horse and winners won cash prizes.
The evening was well supported with over 120 members, friends and supporters in attendance.
We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone that came and to all those who helped behind the scenes.
March 27, 2014
Football Team Wins Award!
Keynsham Mencap FC football team were invited to attend the Chairman’s Sports Award 2014 at the Guildhall on Tuesday 25th March after being nominated for an award.
The team were absolutely thrilled to be announced as winners in the ‘Contribution to Inclusive Sport’ category.
The players were invited on stage and awarded with a glass plaque from Bath Aqua Glass and a certificate, presented by Cllr Neil Butters. Keynsham Mencap FC were nominated in recognition of their hard work over the last year and for how they work together and support each other as a team.
May 20, 2014
Direct Debit Competition
Runners Up!
Thank you to everyone that took the time to vote for us in the Direct Debit competition. We didn’t win the big prize but did win £100!
Cash prizes were given based on the number of votes, so thank you again to everyone.
May 20, 2014
Keynsham Mencap FC Wins the League!
The Keynsham Mencap Society football team are celebrating after winning Division 2 of the disability football league. The team, made up of 16 people with Learning Disabilities, play in the Somerset FA Ability Counts League and play against other disability football teams across the South West.
The team played their final 4 matches at the fixture on 27th April at Strode College, winning 3 of their games to be crowned champions. The players were awarded a cup and medals during a presentation following the final match.
Only 6 weeks ago the team were awarded the Contribution to Inclusive Sports at the BANES Chair Sports Awards in recognition of the hard work the team have put in to making their club a success.
We are very proud of the players and very grateful to the coach and volunteers that support the club and make it all possible.
July 2, 2014
National Learning Disability Week 2014
National Learning Disability Week was from 16th-22nd June 2014 and this year the theme was first experiences. Each day we featured a story from one of our members about their first day at school, their first job, first love, first time they voted and their first home. Thanks to Andrew, Dean, Katy, Steve, Jon and Hannah for taking part and sharing your story with us.
Katy and Steve’s wedding
August 8, 2014
Volunteers Parachute Jump
Two of our volunteers are doing a sponsored parachute jump on Sunday 14th September to raise money for the Society.
Mikey and Vicki, who both volunteer at 18+ Club, will be jumping out of an aeroplane at Swindon air field.
You can sponsor them to take part in this amazing challenge here: https://www.justgiving.com/Mikey-Galaszia/
August 8, 2014
Sponsored Bike Ride and Walk
The annual sponsored bike ride and walk will be taking place on Sunday 14th September, from 9.30am.
As usual there is a choice of 5, 10 or 25 mile routes, starting from the Bird in Hand in Saltford, but new for this year the 25 mile cycle will incorporate the two tunnels in Bath.
Please contact the office now for your sponsorship form and information pack.
You can download a registration form here.
Complimentary lunch will be provided for participants at 1pm.
August 14, 2014
Hilton Staff Skydive
Staff from the Hilton hotel in Bath are taking part in a charity skydive and have selected us as their chosen charity.
The staff members, Maria Garcia and Antonio Coppolla are doing the jump in Swindon on the 5th October.
A very brave thing to do! If you would like to sponsor them you can do so here.
November 3, 2014
Lock Stock Fun Day
The charity family fun day hosted by the Lock Keeper pub in Keynsham took place on Sunday 17th August and we were chosen as their nominated charity.
The all day event consisted of live music, bouncy castle, face painting, children’s games and stalls and a fantastic raffle with some superb prizes.
We’re extremely grateful to the Lock Keeper and to everyone that came along on the day. We are delighted to announce the day raised £811.
November 3, 2014
Radstock Juniors Residential
In August, members of Radstock Juniors had an overnight residential trip to the YMCA Activity Centre in Botley, near Southampton.
The activity centre offers a range of outdoor pursuits and members took part in fire and den building, boat trip, canoeing and the zip wire.
The staff at the centre commented that they were really impressed with the groups enthusiasm to join in and for the first time ever, everyone had a go on the zip wire, which was a massive achievement.
November 3, 2014
Sponsored Sky Dive!
On Sunday 14th September, 2 of our volunteers Mikey and Vicki, along with supporters from Harley Owner’s Group, took part in a sponsored Sky Dive.
They jumped from an aeroplane from 10,000 feet in the air, free fell for 30 seconds and then parachuted to the ground.
Mikey and Vicki, both volunteers at 18+ Club, raised £750 between them. What an amazing achievement!
November 3, 2014
Sponsored Bike Ride / Walk / Push 2014
Our annual sponsored bike ride, walk and wheelchair push took place on Sunday 14th September along the Bath to Bitton cycle path, starting from the Bird in Hand pub in Saltford.
Cyclists chose to take part in the 5, 10 or 25 mile cycle, with those doing the 25 mile route having the option of taking the Bath Two Tunnels route.
The walkers and wheelchair enjoyed a 5 mile stroll to Bitton and back.
We had over 60 people take part on the day and the sun shone throughout. We had a lovely afternoon in the pub been garden enjoy a buffet lunch and a refreshing drink.
We are still collecting the sponsor money for this event but it looks like we will have raised over £3,000!
November 3, 2014
18+ Holiday to New Forest
In September we took 18 members of 18+ Club on a weeks holiday to Hoburne Naish holiday park in the New Forest. We stayed in lovely wooden lodges a two minute walk from the beach.
During the week we visited animal parks, the zoo, Paulton’s theme park and enjoyed the on site attractions such as the pool and spa and evening entertainment and discos.
James had his birthday whilst we were away so we all joined him to celebrate with a pub meal and birthday cake brought out by the chef.
November 3, 2014
Radstock to Brean Cycle Ride
Karen Washbourne and Jason Preson, parents to one of our members, organised and took part in a sponsored cycle ride to raise money for Radstock Juniors and Sauper Saturday Club that Matty attends.
Karen, Jason and friends cycled 30 miles from Radstock to Brean and raised £1,400.
The money will be split between the two clubs and used for activities and equipment.
Well done and thank you to everyone that took part.
From left to right: Holly Stokes, Guy Wheatley, Matt Escott, Nick Preston, Sharleen Vranch, Karryna-Marie Preston, Rich Preston, Colin Ettle, Louise Ettle, Jason Preston, Martin Hopkins, Luke Preston. In front David Preston who drove the support vehicle.
November 3, 2014
Fosseway Staff Tackle Army Assault Course
Jacqui, Jodie, Kirsty and Ben are a team of four from Fosseway School who all know one of our members Alice Beere, who is presently very poorly.
They took part in a sponsored 10K Army Assault course involving fire, ice, barbed wire and plenty of mud.
They made it through in an impressive 1hr 15mins and raised money for us on the way. An amazing achievement. Well done and thank you!
November 3, 2014
Georgia’s Great South Run
Congratulations to volunteer Georgia Meredith who took part in the Great South Run.
Georgia ran in the event to raise money for Super Saturday Club and the money will go towards an overnight trip in 2015.
Georgia completed the 10 mile course in 1 hour and 49 minutes.
November 6, 2014
Football Club Receive Donation
Many thanks to Ben Bachelor who recently ran the Bristol Half Marathon.
Ben raised £400 in sponsorship that he has donated to the Keynsham Mencap Football Team.
Ben visited the team at their weekly training session to present them with a cheque. Thank you Ben.
November 6, 2014
HOG Present New Football Kit
The Harley Owner’s Group South West Chapter (HOG) have kindly sponsored new football kits for the players as we are their nominated charity of the year.
Some of the HOG members attended football club to meet the players and the coaches and present the new strip.
The chaps will be showing off their new kit in the disability football tournament and their next fixture is set for Sunday 9th November at Strode College.
February 4, 2015
Volunteer Kristy Nominated for Award
One of our volunteers, Kristy Tyack (was Young) was nominated for the long service award at the Chairman of the Council Volunteer Awards. Kristy has been involved with the society for 18 years and is our longest serving volunteer.
We attended an awards ceremony at the Guildhall in Bath where the winners were announced. Sadly Kristy did not win her category, although the award went to a very deserving winner (who’d clocked up 60 years of volunteer service!).
Kristy is still a winner to us, and we’d like to recognise her commitment and thank her for all her hard work and continued support.
February 4, 2015
Dragon’s Den Success for Radstock!
Radstock Junior Club were invited to make a pitch at the Westfield Dragon’s Den event, where small grants were available for community groups.
Club leader Nicky made a brilliant presentation and was awarded £500 to subsidise the cost of the club’s overnight trip in the summer. Nicky was supported on the evening by parents and volunteers from the club.
March 4, 2015
Goodbye Mary
We are saddened by the news that beloved 18+ member Mary has passed away. Mary had been battling an illness for a long time, and died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by familiar faces and those that loved her.
Mary was a wonderful character and will be greatly missed by everyone.
Mary’s funeral will be held at Haycombe crematorium on 19th March at 9:30, followed by a memorial at St John’s church at 11am. Refreshments will then be served at the British Legion. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Harriet Runs Bath Half
One of our volunteers Harriet Huckin ran the Bath Half marathon last Sunday, completing the course in 2 hours 51 minutes.
Harriet raised £385 which will be used at Super Saturday Club for activities for the children.
Well done Harriet!
March 10, 2015
Race Night Fun!
Thank you to everyone that came and supported our Race Night on Friday 6th March.
It was a great evening, lots of fun and very entertaining!
Races were shown on the big screen with guests placing bets on which horse they think will win. There were cash prizes for the winners, as well as a raffle with some great prizes.
The evening raised £830.
June 29, 2015
Celebrating Volunteers!
The 1st – 7th June each year is National Volunteers Week. We have 104 volunteers supporting our various clubs and projects and in the last year they have contributed over 10,000 volunteer hours.
We are so grateful to every single one of our volunteers. As well as supporting our clubs each week they also give up their free time to attend training and to help on day trips, holidays and at events.
Some of the volunteers told us why they volunteer for Mencap.
June 29, 2015
Saltford Scarecrow Trail
As part of the annual Saltford Festival, there was a Scarecrow Trail around the village.
Keynsham Mencap entered a scarecrow into the trail that was on all week. We hope it will raise some awareness of what we do and of people with learning disabilities. As well as the scarecrow we also had a stand at the networking event for clubs and associations in the area.
When we asked some of the members what was important to them and what they enjoyed about being a member of the society, the top answer was being able to going on holiday. So here’s Manny the Mencap Scarecrow on his holiday!
June 29, 2015
Millfield Mencap Fun Day!
Every year, students and teachers at Millfield School in Street put on a brilliant fun day for Mencap groups from all over the South West.
There are so many different activities to chose from, it’s impossible to fit them all in! There’s sports, drama, dance and aerobics, film making, cookery, bouncy castle, face painting, art and craft, photography and more!
It’s always a great day out and we’re grateful to the school and Mencap Communities Team for organising such a super event.
June 29, 2015
Super Saturday Club Trip to Crealy
Children and helpers from Super Saturday had a day trip to Crealy Adventure Park.
There was a buffet lunch on the decking in the sunshine and then the afternoon was spent in the animal kingdom, enjoying the play areas and all the rides and rollercoasters.
A great day had by all!
