Community News

Everyone looks forward to a Wednesday night at Saffron Walden Mencap Society Side by Side Club members enjoy socialising, playing games and coming together for the tea break So many smiles, laughter and chatter #MakeADifference #lovewhatwedo #InclusionMatters #wednesdayvibes

The enthusiasm from this incredible group of people, week after week, is boundless. The joy that Music Man gives everyone, is so beautiful to observe. As we practiced this evening, for our public performance in a few weeks time, the effort put into each number was wonderful. Everyone wants to give their very best. Music Man makes a real difference to lives Supported by Postcode Lottery UK awarded by #postcodetrust and London Stansted Airport #communityfund #InclusionMatters #

One of our favourite trips during the Summer - out on the River Stort with CanalAbility 🥰 We are always lucky with the weather and it has stopped raining ☔️ ☀️ A huge thank you to the Saffron Walden Round Table for donating funds to pay for this amazing trip! 🤩 Thank you so much to both volunteer crews on our boats today!🥰 #InclusionMatters #MakeADifference #lovewhatwedo #boatlife #backtonature

We had a lovely friendship going on Friday night, looking after each other and for each other . We are getting brilliant at bowling and definitely enjoy the feel of Ace of Lanes on Friday night, as well as their food. Supported by London Stansted Airport #Communityfund and Lions Clubs International #InclusionMatters #MakeADifference #lovewhatwedo #fridayfun #FridayFeeling

#Volunteersweek Celebrating Volunteers Week with a celebratory get together and a delicious afternoon tea! A huge thank you to Maxine from Quinntessential Catering for providing an amazing buffet! Volunteers Week celebrates all our wonderful Trustees, volunteers and fundraisers! We value all your generous time you devote to supporting the lives of our members with learning disabilities #timetocelebrate #FeelValued #InclusionMatters #MakeADifference #lovewhatwedo

After a week’s break, we were all raring to go again! With just four weeks to rehearse for a very exciting public performance, as part of the Saffron Walden Community Day on Saturday 27th June, there is lots of hard work to be done! We were so happy to be back amongst our friends, helping and supporting each other, listening to each other and really caring about each other. Our Music Man Project is very special indeed Supported by Postcode Lottery UK awarded by the Postcode T

Our GWOF group are at Tesco Superstore today raising funds for their summer holiday activities! Pop by and say, ‘Hello!’ Thank you to all the customers We raised £446 which is truly wonderful #fundraising #keepitlocal #mencap #community #MakeADifference #inclusion

A night at the circus for our members! Bright lights illuminated the big top, and the sound of music and excited chatter filled the air. Acrobats soared overhead, trapeze artists swung through the darkness beneath spotlights, and jugglers kept an impossible numbers of objects in motion. Clowns provided moments of laughter between the more daring acts; a lively, sensory rich night! Finished off with an ice-cream! Our group is supported by Saffron Walden Golf Club, London

After a hot week, what better way to cool off than going swimming! A great choice from Amie, who is home from college this week! Now for food Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund #lotteryplayers #mencap #inclusion #MakeADifference #lovewhatwedo #lifeskills #outandabout

Tonight, our members played Boccia outside, as it was so hot indoors! Lots of friendly rivalry and support for each other. Great team work! Boccia is a precision ball sport for individuals with disabilities, though anyone can play recreationally. It is similar to bowls and is usually played indoors on a flat surface. Players try to throw, roll, or kick their coloured balls as close as possible to a white target ball called the “jack.” #mencap #MakeADifference #lovewhatwedo #w

We stayed cool last night at Saffron Building Society’s Community Link room for our monthly get together: playing an intense game of ‘Uno’ and discussing future trips out. Many great conversations, laughter and giggles! A great way to start the weekend. Supported by Saffron Walden Golf Club, London Stansted Airport #communityfund and Lions Clubs International #FridayFeeling #mencap #MakeADifference #lovewhatwedo #ourchoice #abilitynotdisability

Who loves a curry night? We do! Our members love to cook and eat! Tonight, our lovely Julie, planned and cooked (with lots of help) a wonderful, tasty curry with rice and naan bread. GWOFers chopped, peeled and prepared the fabulous feast! This was then followed by some healthy fruit. Thank you so much to Julie! Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund and the #lotteryplayers #mencap #MakeADifference #lovewhatwedo #FridayFeeling #FridayFeeling #GWOF

What an incredible evening our wonderful performers gave us. Fifteen inspirational performances by soloists, duets and trios. Everyone put their hearts and souls into their own performance, and then supported their friends. The rapturous applause rang out, time and time again, as each performance drew to a close. To each and every Music Man Member….we are so proud of you all. Thank you to our fabulous judges Patrick Draper, Chair of Saffron Walden Mencap Society and Julia Att

Fitness and games with Neil O’Sullivan from KidzActive which runs at the Lord Butler Fitness & Leisure Centre, printing tablecloths for future fundraisers with Julie, cooking bacon rolls and hotdogs for lunch, then chocolate fondue, Tombola and Raffle, followed by some amazing singing with Lauren and Poppy from Saffron Players What a fabulous day! Thank you so much to everyone for making the day a success! #weekendvibes #MakeADifference #lovewhatwedo #SundayFundayVibes

A totally awesome evening at the Adventure Golf Golf World Stansted! Superb concentration from all of the members and so lovely to see everyone supporting each other around the course. Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund and the #lotteryplayers #golf #Fridayfeeling #MakeADifference #lovewhatwedo #FridayNight #weekendvibes

This week was film night and our members chose Lilo and Stitch! Stitch, an extraterrestrial entity, heads straight to planet Earth after he escapes his prison, where he tries to impersonate a dog. Things take a turn when Lilo adopts him from an animal shelter. Everyone chose their seats and settled down to watch! During tea break, where everyone comes together for a chat, we celebrated Kitty and Marion’s birthdays - singing ’Happy birthday’ and sharing cake! #makeadifferen

We recently meet at the Community link to plan and decide on forthcoming outings then enjoyed a game of Uno with Patrick and Emma! Our first trip choice, was a trip to Saffron Screen to watch the fantastic Michael Jackson film. Everyone purchased their own tickets and snacks. Supported by Saffron Walden Golf Club and London Stansted Airport #communityfund #mencap #MakeADifference #lovewhatwedo #creatingsmiles #lifechoices #fridaynights

We are so excited about our Music Man’s Got Talent Showcase next Monday This evening, everyone practiced their performances, giving each other oodles of encouragement. What a wonderful array of talent we have, from nursery rhymes to opera!! Watch this space next week, to find out who the judges choose as their winner!! Supported by Postcode Lottery UK awarded by the Postcode Trust and London Stansted Airport #standstedairportcommunityfund #MakeADifference #lovewhatwedo #music

Our fabulous ‘Spring Disco!’ Fantastic tunes from DJ Carl Marvellous dancing Excellent moves Delicious food Great laughter Amazing fun A delicious buffet spread with yummy cakes donated by Saffron Walden COOK Thank you so much to all of our fabulous volunteers for organising the event and making a huge difference to the lives of our members! We are very grateful for the use of an amazing venue at Seward’s End Village Hall. Thank you #disco #MakeADifference #w

Dinner at The Temeraire JD Wetherspoon in Saffron Walden tonight We love our members to make choices for themselves: choose their own table, choose who to sit with, then ordering their own food on the app! We are so proud of them Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund and #lotteryplayers #FridayFeeling #livingthedream #lovewhatwedo #makingchoices #MakeADifference #socialopportunities