Community News

Our brand new Friday night social group for the over 26s kicked off tonight with a spectacular Christmas-themed party! We had festive karaoke, delicious mince pies, and an abundance of fun, laughter, and new friendships. A huge, heartfelt thank you to our incredible group leader, Ewelina, for her dedication in getting this group started and for creating such a welcoming atmosphere. Just look at the pure joy on everyone’s faces! This is what community is all about.   Thanks to

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

Karaoke Tenpin  in Cambridge tonight for the birthday girl, Isabel!     Followed by dinner Five Guys ! Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund  and the #lotteryplayers #bringingsmiles   #abilitynotdisability   #mencap   #fridaynight   #FridayFeeling   #outandbout   #livinglife   #lovinglife

“That’s brilliant! “ Emma declared, after joining in with the Christmas version of Best Life!! And it was!! Also brilliant, is to observe, all the members of our lovely Music Man group. Every single person has something special to give; a voice, a rhythm, a sign, a gesture, a tap on the drum, a shake of the tambourine or a wiggle of the hips. Then there’s the one thing they all have in common….a smile . Magical Music Man Mondays are just very special. Supported by the People'

Bowling at Tenpin  in Cambridge tonight for some of our members! Great fun and laughter   Then dinner at McDonald's  yum!  Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund  and #lotteryplayers #bringingsmiles   #mencap   #FridayVibes   #fridaynight   #abilitynotdisability   #inclusion   #MakeADifference

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

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

Our group get-together in Fast Eddie’s Bar at Fairycroft House  tonight! We had a spooky evening! Pumpkins, skeletons, games and dance with Jen Shackleton    We then celebrated three birthdays: Daisy, Tobie and our newest member Olivia.  With yummy cake from COOK  Saffron Walden. Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund  and the #lotteryplayers #bringingsmiles   #abilitynotdisability   #lovewhatwedo   #FridayFeeling   #fridayfun   #MakingMemories2025   #makeamazinghap

Trampolining at AirHop Adventure & Trampoline Park Chelmsford  for some of our members tonight. Great fun and getting fit too! Supported...

Dinner at The Temeraire JD Wetherspoon  tonight for some of our members. A night at the pub enjoyed by all. Good food, good company and...

Thank you so much to everyone for donating, volunteering, selling and clearing up! We appreciate everything you do to support our...

The Power of Music continues to work its magic! Look at the relationships that are forming, the camaraderie, the sense of belonging....

Tonight we got together in Fast Eddie’s Bar at Fairycroft House  for our monthly get together! We created designs for our Christmas cards...