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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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GWOF Friday Nights: Friday 12th June 2026
We had the best time at Rally School - Langley Park with Tom Clark tonight! An exciting opportunity to race around the track in a rally car. What an experience So amazing for our members Thank you do much for your time and patience Highly recommended Our group is supported by The National Lottery Community Fund #InclusionMatters #MakeADifference #lovewhatwedo #fridayfun #abilitynotdisability
diannecarter0908
Jun 141 min read


Side by Side Club: Wednesday 10th June 2026
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
diannecarter0908
Jun 121 min read


Magical Music Man Mondays: Monday 8th June 2026
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 #
diannecarter0908
Jun 91 min read


GWOF out on a Saturday 🤩
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
diannecarter0908
Jun 71 min read


Our Choice Adventures: Friday 5th June 2026
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
diannecarter0908
Jun 71 min read


Volunteers Week Celebrations: Friday 5th June 2026
#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
diannecarter0908
Jun 51 min read


GWOF Friday Nights: Friday 29th May 2026
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
diannecarter0908
May 301 min read


Wednesday evenings are for our Side by Side Club.
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
diannecarter0908
May 281 min read


Our Choice Adventures: Friday 22nd May 2026
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
diannecarter0908
May 231 min read


GWOF Friday Nights: Friday 22nd May 2026
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
diannecarter0908
May 231 min read


Magnificent Magical Music Man Monday
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
diannecarter0908
May 191 min read


Sunday Funday Fundraiser: Sunday 17th May 2026
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
diannecarter0908
May 171 min read


GWOF Friday Nights: Friday 15th May 2026
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
diannecarter0908
May 171 min read


Side by Side Club: Wednesday 13th May 2026
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
diannecarter0908
May 141 min read


Our Choice Adventures
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
diannecarter0908
May 121 min read


Magical Music Man Mondays !
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
diannecarter0908
May 121 min read


GWOF Friday Nights: Friday 8th May 2026
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
diannecarter0908
May 101 min read


GWOF Friday Nights: Friday 8th May 2026
Karaoke Night at Tenpin Cambridge Karaoke! We enjoyed our own private room, queued up some favourite tracks, and keep the energy going all night! Everyone sung their hearts out! Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund and #lotteryplayers #FridayFeeling #livingthedream #MakeADifference #startoftheweekend #lovewhatwedo #makingsmiles #FridayNightSorted
diannecarter0908
May 101 min read


GrowAbility: Wednesday 6th May 2026
Another busy day on the plot at GrowAbility this week - a little chilly so why not pot on some chillies - watering first, a spot of weeding (or in Barry’s case a LOT of weeding - he’s a legend on the plot!) - what better way to end a few hours of hard work than with a harvesting session to add to our communal healthy lunch. We just love Dig It Community Allotment! Thank you so much Elsenham Lodge 8973 and Essex Freemasons for supporting our project. #allotmentlife #lovewhatw
diannecarter0908
May 101 min read


GWOF Friday Nights: Friday 1st May 2026
Tonight, we visited the Agricultural Science Unit based at Saffron Walden County High School to see all of the animals. A great experience for all our members: learning all about the animals and how to look after them We loved every minute of our visit! Supporting by The National Lottery Community Fund and the #lotteryplayers #lovewhatwedo #MakeADifference #inclusion #downonthefarm #learningaboutanimals
diannecarter0908
May 21 min read
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