News

Five women and one man are standing holding a pink National Lottery Banner and waving National Lottery flags

We’ve won the lottery!

We’re celebrating after being awarded a £232,327 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to support our invaluable Family Support Service. The four years funding…

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Trustee JIm Allpass stands on the banks of a lake and displays his medal

Trustee Jim powers through Ironman challenge

Reading Mencap has its own Ironman in trustee Jim Allpass who has conquered a gruelling triathlon, raising an impressive £1,760 for us!  The event saw…

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Crowd of people of different races, nationalities, age, people with disability. Multicultural society. Social diversity of people in modern society. Vector illustration

Carers help shape new local strategy

Local carers have played a major role in shaping a new Carers’ Strategy for Reading, which aims to raise awareness of the issues carers face,…

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A group of people who attend Reading Mencap's day service are standing and giving a thumbs up gesture

Thank you to Stowe Family Law LLP

A very big thank you to Stowe Family Law LLP who have generously given us a donation of £200. The specialist family law firm told…

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A pair of leopard skin ankle boots and a pair of bright yellow ankle boots have been decorated with beads and stick on flowers ready for Reading Mencap's Walk a Mile in Our Shoes events

Reading Mencap’s Wacky Walk Celebrates Learning Disability Week

More than 100 local children and adults with learning disabilities will be putting on their fanciest footwear and joining in with a celebration on Wednesday…

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A manager at Reading's Nationwide Building Society presents a giant cheque to a client of Reading Mencap and the charity's new Housing Adviser

New Housing Adviser thanks to funding from Nationwide   

Many adults with learning disabilities in Reading live in unsuitable housing or struggle to maintain their tenancies   They often lack information about their rights and…

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A woman sits in an armchair with a cup of tea while browsing on a laptop. A selection of books sit on a windowsill beside her.

End of an era

After 13 years of dedicated service, we announce the resignation of our Chair, Leslie Macdonald. Her departure marks the end of an era, one that…

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Are You Listening Festival logo. Reading Mencap step back from partnership with Are You Listening? Mandi Smith, Reading Mencap's CEO, said: "All the funds raised from the festival during the last decade have been vital in helping us to improve quality of life for people with a learning disability in Reading. We are incredibly grateful to Heavy Pop and everyone who has supported us on this journey." Read more at areyoulistening.org.uk The festival is looking for volunteers to support the event this year, please email volunteers@heavypop.co.uk for more information. We will very shortly be announcing the next wave of artists joining our 2024 line up this May and we hope you can join us for our 11th festival edition!

Fond farewell to partnership with Are You Listening? Festival

A huge thank you to our incredible friends at Are You Listening? Festival for their fantastic support over the past decade. Sadly, after 10 fantastic…

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An older man is sitting at a desk with paperwork and using a calculator.

Over pension age? Are you missing out on Attendance Allowance?

New research by Policy in Practice finds that more than 1.1 million pension age households could be missing out on £5.2 billion of Attendance Allowance…

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Warehouse manager and worker looking at a tablet in a warehouse

Unpaid carer’s leave

The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 will become law on 6 April 2024 Employees who have caring responsibilities will be able to take up to five…

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