History of Herefordshire Mencap
“The Herefordshire Society for the Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults” was started in 1955 by families who had children with a learning disability, then termed ‘mental handicap’. It was affiliated to and remains affiliated to Royal Society Mencap which itself was started by a parent, Judy Frydd. Philip Thornley, an active member for over 40 years has written about Hm’s history, explaining his reason for joining in the 1960s: meeting with other parents and to find out about opportunities locally for his son. At this time there were very few facilities, so parents set about changing the local provision by actively fundraising, campaigning and working with the local authority. 2 charitable companies were set up providing small residential homes and day opportunities for local people with learning disabilities. The companies remain today and have been merged into one and re-named Aspire. Aspire is now independent of Hm but with one Trustee still involved with the local society. Parents also campaigned for respite breaks leading to the local authority providing respite facilities for both children and then adults.
During the 1990s the learning disability landscape was changing. There was now a range of residential and day opportunities for people to access and it became increasingly difficult to retain parents and to find new ones to join Hm. Both parents could be working, evening meetings could be difficult if one family member had a disability and therefore could not be left and there was no longer the need or the urgency to change local provision as there was a good range of opportunities. There was also a change in dynamics within the learning disability landscape: at last it was becoming recognised that people with a learning disability too had a voice, could make choices and should be able to plan their own lives (with the right support to do so).
In 2000, the first Trustee with a learning disability was appointed and he is now Herefordshire Mencap's vice-chairman. Herefordshire Mencap now has 3 Trustees with learning difficulties and 2 co-opted members with a learning disability. They are all supported to engage fully in the governance of Hm by the Trustee Support Worker. The Executive Committee is smaller than during the 1970 – mid 1990 period but still carries the mantle of the local voice of learning disability, now led by the people themselves. Hm continues to offer support, campaigns on local and national issues, has ideas and makes them happen. Hm is also now a main source of information about all things learning disability locally and nationally plus anything that affects people’s and their families’ lives. Hm works in partnership with all local disability organisations, local authority, local health services, carers’ organisation, West Mercia Police, any body that can enhance the lives of people with a learning disability and their family members. We have a Partnership Agreement with Royal Society Mencap and work closely with its community team.
During the 1990s the learning disability landscape was changing. There was now a range of residential and day opportunities for people to access and it became increasingly difficult to retain parents and to find new ones to join Hm. Both parents could be working, evening meetings could be difficult if one family member had a disability and therefore could not be left and there was no longer the need or the urgency to change local provision as there was a good range of opportunities. There was also a change in dynamics within the learning disability landscape: at last it was becoming recognised that people with a learning disability too had a voice, could make choices and should be able to plan their own lives (with the right support to do so).
In 2000, the first Trustee with a learning disability was appointed and he is now Herefordshire Mencap's vice-chairman. Herefordshire Mencap now has 3 Trustees with learning difficulties and 2 co-opted members with a learning disability. They are all supported to engage fully in the governance of Hm by the Trustee Support Worker. The Executive Committee is smaller than during the 1970 – mid 1990 period but still carries the mantle of the local voice of learning disability, now led by the people themselves. Hm continues to offer support, campaigns on local and national issues, has ideas and makes them happen. Hm is also now a main source of information about all things learning disability locally and nationally plus anything that affects people’s and their families’ lives. Hm works in partnership with all local disability organisations, local authority, local health services, carers’ organisation, West Mercia Police, any body that can enhance the lives of people with a learning disability and their family members. We have a Partnership Agreement with Royal Society Mencap and work closely with its community team.