Community News

This evening, we showcased some of the new music we have been learning this half term, to a very warm and receptive audience. They were so impressed with the progress that everyone has made. Music Man members presented each number, and then everyone performed with a confidence that grows week by week. Nicky was so proud, and invited everyone to take bow at the end. The audience responded with generous and very well deserved applause. Supported by the People's Postcode Lottery

Tonight, some of our members are at Trio Italian in Saffron Walden for dinner. Alicia’s choice of trip, as it will soon be her birthday! Everyone loves the pizza  and pasta  on offer   Lots of options to choose on the menu…what would you choose? Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund  and #lotteryplayers . #fridaynight   #mencap   #MakeADifference   #lovewhatwedo   #gettogetherwithfriends   #FridayFeeling

Our members are so competitive at bowling! Who will win tonight? It’s a very close game   Always a popular activity and a fun night for everyone! Celebrating Flo’s birthday tonight . Flo chose the activity and who she would like to go with. Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund  and #lotteryplayers #MakeADifference   #bringingsmiles   #mencap   #lovewhatwedo   #lovelife   #FridayFeeling   #fridayvibes   #fridaynight   #tenpinbowling #outincambridge   #greatstarttot

Who knew our members were such talented actors? Tonight’s game of charades at Side by Side was such fun! We were all thrilled at the inventive and dramatic performances. Everyone really gave it their all! Between the acting and guessing, we celebrated Jamie and Emma’s birthdays with cupcakes (thanks Jamie! ) and a group singalong. We finished the night with Hangman, where Noah proved to be the master of words.   #sidebyside   #mencap   #lovewhatwedo   #friendsareforever   #br

A truly magical space, where we flourish, and where miracles happen. Where every individual’s achievements are celebrated, and where we help each other. What a wonderfully eclectic array of music this evening! We absolutely loved it….from the musicals to the dambusters!! Look at the smiles on our faces . We love Music Man Mondays! Supported by People's Postcode Lottery  (awarded by the Postcode Trust) and the #stanstedairportcommunityfund  ( London Stansted Airport ) #musicis

We were invited to watch the relaxed performance of the Saffron Players ’ Camelot Panto tonight! First our members paid for their own tickets - practicing life skills, then met all the cast of the show. Each cast member explained who they were and what part they play. We loved every bit of the show! The music, singing, laughter and fun! Thank you for inviting us! #goodtimes   #laughter   #community   #mencap   #lovewhatwedo   #MakeADifference   #panto

We love all the new pieces of music that Nicky is introducing us to!   We tapped quietly on our tambourines to Kermit the Frogs wonderful Rainbow Song, we sang along beautifully to Hallelujah, and we showed off our Scottish dancing to Scotland the Brave!!! Music Man makes us all so happy  Thank you to everyone who makes these very special evenings happen. Supported by the People's Postcode Lottery  awarded by the Postcode Trust and the #stanstedcommunityfund  ( London Stanste

What a debut! Last night marked the very first outing for ‘Our Choice Club’ and we couldn’t have asked for a better start. ❤️ Our members headed out for a night of bowling, arcades, and great food. It wasn’t just about the scores; it was about the excellent team effort and the relaxed, happy atmosphere everyone created. We’ve officially given the food facilities a “Very Good” rating, and the arcade games brought out everyone’s inner child! It’s all about feeling at ease, maki

Our members’ Christmas Party tonight in Fast Eddie’s Bar in Fairycroft House   A night of fun and joy: Christmas music, dancing singing, ‘Pin the nose on Rudolf’, ‘Stick the Wings on the Angel ’ a Christmas Raffle, nibbles, drinks and cakes followed by birthday cake to celebrate Katie’s birthday! We love our Friday Nights! Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund  and the #lotteryplayers #christmasparty   #happychristmas   #FridayFeeling   #lovewhatwedo   #makeamazing

Everyone was in fine voice today at our first big public concert!! We performed alongside Music Man Projects from Bishops Stortford and Cambridge as guests of Prime Brass, at the West Road Concert Hall in Cambridge! An amazing experience Thank you, Nicky New, for giving us this wonderful opportunity! Supported by generous donations from People's Postcode Lottery , awarded by the People’s Postcode Trust and #stanstedcommumityfund  (London Stansted Airport) #localmencap   #brin

Merry Magical Music Man Mondays !!! T’is the season to be jolly!!!   Everyone was in fine voice this evening, for our final practice before our first big public concert!! We will be performing alongside Music Man Projects from Bishops Stortford and Cambridge as guests of Prime Brass, at the West Road Concert Hall in Cambridge, this coming Sunday! Tickets are available from https://www.adcticketing.com/.../family-christmas.../ We are sooooo excited!! Thank you, Nicky New, for

Our members’ Christmas meal and dance at Newport Village Hall, Essex    Fabulous meal, drinks, raffle, dancing and laughter! A huge thank you to Quinntessential Catering  for the amazing service!    Thank you to all the volunteers who made the event possible! #christmas2025   #localmencap   #bringingsmiles   #seasonalcelebration   #abilitynotdisability   #lovewhatwedo   #makeadifferencetogether

What a fabulous night we had at the ‘Christmas at Wimpole 2025’! Our whole group of 30 members, companions and volunteers enjoyed a magical night!   An truly amazing experience we had at the trail that brings the estate to life with over a million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds. Thank you so much to the Crocus Sapphires for enabling the trip! Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund  and #lotteryplayers #localmencap   #abilitynotdisability   #bringingsmiles   #l

Today was the last day of our GrowAbility year. We had a lovely gathering in our summerhouse, with lovely food - (including mince pies and sausage rolls donated by the lovely team at COOK  in Saffron Walden). Our wonderful team of members were awarded certificates by our Chair Patrick Draper, in recognition of their achievements this year - we’ve all learned so much and can’t wait until next year- we were already making plans! Charis got cake and a card to celebrate her Birth

Quiz night at our Side-by -Side club on Wednesday - two teams and so much knowledge between them… the scores were so close at the end and the night was such fun - lovely to see new members and volunteers settling in, friendships blossoming, and so much FUN and Laughter! #mencap   #lovewhatwedo   #inclusion   #quiz  night #abilitynotdisability   #bringingsmiles   #saffronwalden

Such a good turn out at the Club this evening! Noah had his first session with us and he won the raffle! He chose a lovely gift to give to his sister! There were jigsaws, feed the pig and pirate games, a really raucous game if UNO and much more! We welcomed the lovely George for a taster session - it was such a fun night - the hall looked lovely and as always just full of love and happiness  thank you Kitty for making it such a fun night! #gamesmight   #unocardgame   #jigsawp

So much to say about today’s session! Esther, Noah, Barry, Katie, Tristan, Ewelina, Lisa, Mitch, Alice, Julie, Jacquie, and Marion made a happy gang at Dig It Community Allotment  today for our GrowAbility club. Weeding, composting, harvesting, and cooking together. Ewelina’s turn to cook today and wow it was fabulous food - what a cook she is! We enjoyed looking at a solitary bee hotel which was brought along by Katie who explained all about how the bee larvae make themselve

Our lovely Nicky decided it was time to ‘GO BIG’ with the glocks!! We absolutely love this instrument, with its sweet, bell like, sounds. We listened to Nicky’s instructions, telling us which colour to play, and the results were beautiful   Thank you Stansted Airport Community Fund ( London Stansted Airport ) for providing these wonderful instruments for all of us. We also want to give a great big shout out to our wonderful volunteers, Jacquie, Marion, Jo and Marian. They are

Daisy and Alicia’s choice of trips out tonight and they both chose bowling. Great team work! Great communication! Great laughs! Who will win? Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund  and #lotteryplayers #mencap   #bringingsmiles   #abilitynotdisability   #lovewhatwedo   #FridayFeeling   #weekendvibes

Lots to do on the Dig It Community Allotment  plot today, clearing the peppers away so the last fruits can be harvested and the plants chopped for compost. Then some donated canna lilies and a huge banana plant to be potted on to be overwintered in the greenhouse. There was compost to turn and carrots and cabbage to be harvested and cleaned ready for our group lunch. Jacket potatoes baked this morning kept hot in rolls of sheep’s wool served with good old beans and cheese and