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Our Trustees
The board of Saffron Walden Mencap is made up of a committee of dedicated trustees, without whom our positive work would not be possible.
Below you will find a little bit about each of them.
Patrick Draper - Chair
Patrick has been Chair of Saffron Walden Mencap Society since 2014.
He has 36 years in primary education. Before retiring in 2009 he had been headteacher of a local fully inclusive maintained primary school for 15 years.
The experience gained over many years led him to becoming a Trustee of Grove Cottage in Bishop Stortford and volunteering for IPSEA giving advice to parents of children with additional needs about educational provision.
As Chair of Saffron Walden Mencap Society, Patrick was instrumental in setting up the Side by Side club whilst ensuring continued support for all our existing groups.
Patrick has been Chair of Saffron Walden Mencap Society since 2014.
He has 36 years in primary education. Before retiring in 2009 he had been headteacher of a local fully inclusive maintained primary school for 15 years.
The experience gained over many years led him to becoming a Trustee of Grove Cottage in Bishop Stortford and volunteering for IPSEA giving advice to parents of children with additional needs about educational provision.
As Chair of Saffron Walden Mencap Society, Patrick was instrumental in setting up the Side by Side club whilst ensuring continued support for all our existing groups.
Patrick Bailey - Membership Secretary
I have been Membership Secretary of SW Mencap Society since 2015 and sit on the Mencap Committee. I am responsible for collecting the Annual Subscriptions from all Members. I am also an active volunteer at the weekly Side by Side Club and help with transporting Members to the Club.
I have been Membership Secretary of SW Mencap Society since 2015 and sit on the Mencap Committee. I am responsible for collecting the Annual Subscriptions from all Members. I am also an active volunteer at the weekly Side by Side Club and help with transporting Members to the Club.
Jo Arundell - Secretary
My name is Jo and my daughter regularly attends Side by Side club, Our Choice and The Music Man Project. She thoroughly enjoys these clubs and all the other events that are laid on by Mencap. This gives her independence and time with friends which is hugely important to her.
I am keen to give back to this very special organisation and therefore was very happy to be asked to become a trustee. I help wherever I can and regularly bake cakes for the many events that they run.
My name is Jo and my daughter regularly attends Side by Side club, Our Choice and The Music Man Project. She thoroughly enjoys these clubs and all the other events that are laid on by Mencap. This gives her independence and time with friends which is hugely important to her.
I am keen to give back to this very special organisation and therefore was very happy to be asked to become a trustee. I help wherever I can and regularly bake cakes for the many events that they run.
Daphne Cornell
President of Saffron Walden Mencap Society.
President of Saffron Walden Mencap Society.
Jane Bailey - Trustee and Safeguarding Lead
I have been Trustee of Saffron Walden Mencap since 2009 and shortly after became Secretary. I stood down as Secretary in 2025. My background includes working in health, education (at the Peter Kirk School) and Social Services where, for the latter, I became a Manager at the Resource Centre, which is known as the hub. I am currently Saffron Walden Mencap's Safeguarding Lead.
I have been Trustee of Saffron Walden Mencap since 2009 and shortly after became Secretary. I stood down as Secretary in 2025. My background includes working in health, education (at the Peter Kirk School) and Social Services where, for the latter, I became a Manager at the Resource Centre, which is known as the hub. I am currently Saffron Walden Mencap's Safeguarding Lead.
Ben Dimmock - Charity Treasurer
Charity Treasurer and chief BBQ cook at the Big Summer BBQs each year. Happily dedicating my time to help with this great and local charity.
Charity Treasurer and chief BBQ cook at the Big Summer BBQs each year. Happily dedicating my time to help with this great and local charity.
Gerard Walbanke- Trustee
My youngest daughter has been a member of Saffron Walden Mencap for some years and knowing how she absolutely enjoys the weekly Side by Side Club, Music Man Project, Our Choice and social activities. I was pleased to become a Trustee.
I lend a hand with fundraising and social events helping in some small way to bring fun and enjoyment to our members' lives.
My youngest daughter has been a member of Saffron Walden Mencap for some years and knowing how she absolutely enjoys the weekly Side by Side Club, Music Man Project, Our Choice and social activities. I was pleased to become a Trustee.
I lend a hand with fundraising and social events helping in some small way to bring fun and enjoyment to our members' lives.
Richard Clark - Trustee
Richard has attended Saffron Walden Mencap’s Side by Side Club since it
began. More recently, he has joined the Music Man Project and Our Choice. He enjoys meeting up with friends at the Wednesday
evening sessions and participating in all sorts of activities, especially Karaoke!!
Richard was invited to become a trustee and he believes that he
gives people with learning disabilities ‘a voice’.
Richard has three jobs! He works at Homebase, Springwell Garden Centre and
The Courtyard Café. A busy man!!
In his spare time Richard is very creative. He is the proud author of a book
called Louie Gambit! He also loves to do Art Foils and enjoys cooking. Other interests include baking, PlayStation and colouring.
Richard has attended Saffron Walden Mencap’s Side by Side Club since it
began. More recently, he has joined the Music Man Project and Our Choice. He enjoys meeting up with friends at the Wednesday
evening sessions and participating in all sorts of activities, especially Karaoke!!
Richard was invited to become a trustee and he believes that he
gives people with learning disabilities ‘a voice’.
Richard has three jobs! He works at Homebase, Springwell Garden Centre and
The Courtyard Café. A busy man!!
In his spare time Richard is very creative. He is the proud author of a book
called Louie Gambit! He also loves to do Art Foils and enjoys cooking. Other interests include baking, PlayStation and colouring.
Learn to really listen and be there for someone else.
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