Our Impact
Our Impact
Your support makes a difference for people with learning disabilities and autism in Keynsham and surrounding areas.
Because no one should feel left out
At Keynsham Mencap we exist so that children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism can have what many take for granted – friends, fun, increasing confidence and a place to belong.
- We are a local, self‑funding charity providing clubs, holidays and activities for 180+ children and adults each year.
- We receive no regular funding from National Mencap or local authorities – every club night and every smile is powered by people like you.
- Your support turns isolation into friendship, anxiety into confidence, and ordinary evenings into something to look forward to all week.
HEADLINE STATS
Impact at a glance
Quick numbers that show the scale of what you make possible through your support.
members accessing our clubs and activities each year.
weekly clubs from social groups to football, fitness and music.
%
of members/families feel happy, welcome & included at our clubs
%
of surveyed parents say their child has grown in confidence.
hours given by volunteers across our clubs
%
would recommend clubs to another member or parent
These numbers are only part of the story. The real impact is in the friendships, routines and “out of this world, priceless” moments members tell us about.
STORIES
Stories that stay with you
Data shows the scale of our work, but stories show why it matters. Here are just two examples of the difference your support makes.
Zak is happy, growing in confidence and enjoying life again.
“Before joining SENSations Over 11s, Zak found it hard to leave his mum’s side. Now, he happily goes into club by himself, knowing she’s nearby and that he is safe and understood.
Zak is more willing to communicate with people, and genuinely enjoys the sporty games and bowling at club. His increased happiness has had a positive impact on the whole family.”
I can’t tell you the impact Sensations has had on Zak. It’s the highlight of his week and since he started about a year ago he’s now settled into an ALP after not having schooling for 3 years so coupled with Sensations he is like a different boy.
SENSations Over 11s has given Jackson a real chance of a social life
Since joining the club, his confidence levels have increased massively and he has become more patient and understanding of other people’s disabilities. Jackson enjoys the activities and gets genuinely excited for Thursdays.
For his family, knowing he has a place he loves – with staff and volunteers like Molly and Laura who really ‘get’ him – has made a huge difference to their week.”
OUTCOMES
What changes for our members
Our club surveys and conversations with families show the same themes again and again: greater confidence and independence, stronger friendships and less pressure at home.
Confidence and independence
100% of SENSations parents report improved confidence and a real chance of a social life for their child.
At Fitness Club, every respondent feels confident at club and says it helps them be more independent.
Members tell us they try new activities and manage group sessions more independently.
Friendships and belonging
Parents describe SENSations as a “lifeline outside of school” where their child can socialise “with children like themselves”.
Club 25 members say the atmosphere is “out of this world, and priceless” and that they’ve made and kept friendships through Mencap.
Music Man Project members talk about meeting friends who “enjoy the same things that I enjoy” and loving the chance to perform together.
Families under less strain
Parents report that clubs reduce stress at home and “enable us to spend time with our other child”.
Subsidised trips, holidays and experiences give families access to activities they “wouldn’t normally be able to afford”.
During the pandemic, we kept families connected with creative online activities when clubs had to close.
HOW YOUR SUPPORT WORKS
From isolation to inclusion
Our theory of change is simple but powerful. When you fund our clubs, you are not just paying for an activity – you are investing in a pathway that tackles loneliness and builds lasting independence and community.
Weekly clubs where people are welcomed exactly as they are. Children’s Play & Shine, SENSations and Super Saturday groups, and adult’s Go Explore, Fitness Club, Football, Boccia, Music Man Project and Club25 offer predictable, accessible spaces to belong.
Sport, trips, music, creative projects and shared adventures build skills and trust. People try new things, form friendships and practise communication, decision‑making and independence.
Over time, members and families report higher confidence, improved physical and emotional health, reduced loneliness and a stronger sense of being part of the local community – outcomes that last far beyond the club session.
CONTEXT
Why this work matters now
When you fund our clubs, you are not just paying for an activity – you are investing in a pathway that tackles loneliness and builds lasting independence and community.
☞ People with learning disabilities are disproportionately affected by loneliness and social exclusion. That isn’t just a sad fact – it has a real impact on mental and physical health.
☞ Parents describe feeling isolated before finding Keynsham Mencap – and finally feeling “we have found our people” after joining. Regular, inclusive clubs provide structure, friendship and purpose, which research shows are key to tackling loneliness and improving wellbeing.
☞ When funding falls short, the first things at risk are the very spaces that keep people connected: club nights, trips, performances and holidays. Your support protects that lifeline for some of the most excluded people in our community.
CLUBS FOR ALL AGES
What your support makes possible in each club
Use the arrows to scroll through each club and see highlights of the impact your support has – from children’s SENSations and Super Saturday Club groups to Go Explore, Fitness Club, Music Man and Club25.
Use the arrows below to find the most recent detailed Impact Reports for each Club. Click the button to open each report.
WHAT YOUR GIFT CAN DO
What your support makes possible
Every grant and donation, large or small, turns into real experiences for local people with learning disabilities and autism.
Here are just a few examples.
- £25 could fund a place at a weekly club session for a child or adult with a learning disability.
- £100 could subsidise a trip or performance for members who otherwise could not afford to go.
- £500 could support a term of inclusive sport, music or social activities for a whole group.
- £3,000+ could help secure a club for a year, paying for staff, venue and transport to keep it running.
As a self‑funding charity, we have to raise over £180,000 every year just to keep going.
Multi‑year funding and regular gifts give our members something priceless: the security of knowing their club will still be there next term.
Ready to help make sure no one is left out?
Whether you’re a trust or foundation, a local business or an individual donor, you can play a vital part in keeping clubs open, funding new projects and making sure people with learning disabilities and autism stay connected to the communities they love.