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Community News
Saffron Walden Mencap Society has a vibrant community of more than 100. This is made up of young people and adults with learning difficulties, carers, trustees, staff and volunteers. Members of the community have a vast array of interests and talents. Read on to find out what some of them have been getting up to!
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GrowAbility Update: Wednesday 22nd July 2026
It was another wonderful GrowAbility session this week, and it was brilliant to welcome Joel back. He quickly got stuck in, working hard across both plots and making a fantastic contribution throughout the day. Back on the main plot, Claire, Charis and Esther were all incredibly helpful as they worked together to cut back some of the overgrown areas. This helped to keep everything looking neat and well cared for. And more importantly helped the tomatoes get sunlight and stopp
diannecarter0908
5 days ago1 min read


GrowAbility update:
It was great to be back out on the plot today after last week’s visit to Audley End House and Gardens. We made the most of a productive day in the garden. Our newest member, James, wasted no time getting stuck in! A few minutes after his arrival he harvested a beautiful crop of courgettes before helping to water both plots. He helped ensure everything stayed happy and healthy in the summer sunshine. Julie carefully tied countless onions ready for curing. Preparing them all fo
diannecarter0908
Jul 181 min read


GrowAbility at Audley End: Wednesday 8th July 2026
It was another wonderful GrowAbility session this week, although the soaring temperatures meant it was simply too hot to spend the day working on the plot. Instead, we enjoyed a fantastic visit to Audley End House and Gardens, making the most of a day exploring somewhere a little cooler. As the group visited the laundry rooms, the members had great fun dressing George in the Victorian costumes. He certainly looked the part! Noah, Barry and Julie were fascinated by the taxider
diannecarter0908
Jul 91 min read


GrowAbility Update: Wednesday 1st July 2026
It was fantastic to be back and catch up with everyone today. With all hands on deck, our team worked incredibly hard to give both plots a thorough watering after the hot weather. It was a busy session, but everyone kept busy to make sure the gardens got the water and feed they needed. The Tea Garden looks especially neat after a good old weeding. There was plenty of excitement along the way when Noah discovered a wasps' nest hidden beneath some decking! Thankfully, we gave i
diannecarter0908
Jul 11 min read


A day with CanalAbility: Saturday 20th June 2026
Our members are very excited this morning: looking forward to a day on the canal boats with CanalAbility We met at the Lord Butler Fitness & Leisure Centre and travelled by minibus to our destination. The boats are making their way upstream today, towards Harlow Mill. Each member will have the opportunity to steer the boat (with guidance) and help operating the numerous locks during the journey. A huge thank you to Eddie from Uttlesford Community Travel for your time and
diannecarter0908
Jun 211 min read


GWOF and Our Choice Come Together on a Friday Night!
After a hot and sunny week, time to relax and unwind on Saffron Walden Common Both groups had the same idea, so we set up chairs and picnic blankets in a shady spot! Our members then choose to go and order fish n chips or pizza A great opportunity to practice our life and communication skills in the local community A fantastic evening for everyone! GWOF is supported by The National Lottery Community Fund Our Choice is supported by Saffron Walden Golf Club, Lions Clubs Int
diannecarter0908
Jun 211 min read


GrowAbility: Wednesday 22nd April 2026
The Grow Ability team (Matthew, Barry, Esther, Claire, Tristan Julie and Charis) had a busy one today: We welcomed our lovely new (and very first!) operations manager Emma 🌱 it was so nice to welcome her to the group! We planted a variety of pepper and chili seeds. Watered the WHOLE plot. Weeded the raised bed and 🥬 Harvested heaps of “volunteer” lettuce (the flavour is incredible!). 🌯 Built-our-own fresh wraps for a team lunch. And then 🧁 Celebrated Julie’s 61st birthday
diannecarter0908
Apr 251 min read


CanalAbility: Saturday 6th September 2025
We are out on the River Stort today with the fabulous team of volunteers at CanalAbility ! This trip was postponed from the Summer, due...
diannecarter0908
Sep 6, 20251 min read


GWOF Summer Holiday Fridays: Friday 15th August 2025
Archery with Squire Archery in Thriplow. Great fun! Thank you so much to Andrew and his team! Supported by The National Lottery...
diannecarter0908
Aug 29, 20251 min read


Our Annual Big BBQ at Finchingfield Lavender Farm: Sunday 17th August 2025
Our members’ Big BBQ was a great success today. Music, burgers, hotdogs, cakes, our Music Man group performance and a tug of war! A...
diannecarter0908
Aug 29, 20251 min read


GrowAbility Blog: Wednesday 5th March 2025
We’re back! It was glorious at the Dig It Community Allotment today: our gang met at the plot at 10am for our first GrowAbility session...
diannecarter0908
Mar 5, 20251 min read


GrowAbility Blog: Wednesday 30th October 2024
A recent visit and harvesting in the sunshine! Today, Lisa needed to harvest lots of beautiful, healthy curly purple kale - Matthew and...
diannecarter0908
Nov 1, 20241 min read


GrowAbility Blog: Wednesday 23rd October 2024
Late autumn sunshine, scarecrows and our new path! We’ve had a busy few weeks on the plot. There is always lots to do preparing the beds...
diannecarter0908
Oct 24, 20242 min read


GrowAbility Blog: Wednesday 18th September 2024
Supported by Essex Community Foundation with Dig It Community Allotment Getting ready for Autumn- growing our skills, happiness &...
diannecarter0908
Sep 21, 20242 min read


GWOF Summer Holiday Fridays: 23rd August 2024
A day trip to Banham Zoo in Norfolk! Animals to see; picnics to eat; drinks to be drunk; ice-creams to enjoy and lots of walking! A great...
diannecarter0908
Aug 25, 20241 min read


Side by Side Club: Wednesday 24th August 2024
We meet every Wednesday evening! Tonight we had a picnic on the Common in Saffron Walden for our members and then played a variety of...
diannecarter0908
Aug 22, 20241 min read


GrowAbility Blog: Wednesday 14th August 2024
We’ve had a lovely few weeks at the allotment, meeting on the new decking for a chat and catch-up before Lisa gives us a choice of jobs...
diannecarter0908
Aug 16, 20241 min read


Growability Blog: 24th July 2024 with Dig It Community Allotment
Sunshine & Composting Success! We were a small group today, with Lisa and Julie and Willow away, Joel and Barry busy with work and moving...
diannecarter0908
Jul 26, 20241 min read


GWOF Friday nights: 21st June 2024
Fun, games and pizza on Saffron Walden Common tonight in the sunshine! Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund. Thank you to the...
diannecarter0908
Jun 21, 20241 min read


CanalAbility Boat trip: 15th June 2024
Special memories from yesterday’s amazing boat trips with CanalAbility! Thank you so much to Saffron Walden Round Table for donating...
diannecarter0908
Jun 16, 20241 min read
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