Mencap in Northern Ireland

Mencap in Northern Ireland Every day, we support thousands of parents, carers and people with a learning disability to lead a full and valued life. https://northernireland.mencap.org.uk/
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Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible leadership of our outgoing Director, Grainne. 💜Grainne ...
08/03/2026

Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible leadership of our outgoing Director, Grainne. 💜

Grainne has been a passionate advocate for inclusion and equality, championing the voices and leadership of people with a learning disability in everything she does.
Throughout her time with us, she has worked alongside many inspiring women with a learning disability - co-facilitating programmes, sharing platforms, and ensuring their experiences and expertise shape the work we do.

Grainne truly models the theme of International Women’s Day this year “Give to Gain”, as her leadership has always been about ensuring individuals share their successes to inspire others and show them that they can succeed too.
Grainne has always led with a strong focus on partnership, respect and creating opportunities for others to shine.
Because of Grainne, many women with a learning disability have had the chance to build confidence, develop their voices and lead conversations that matter.

As we mark International Women’s Day, we celebrate not only Grainne’s impact, but also the many amazing women with a learning disability she has worked alongside and supported.

Thank you, Grainne, for your commitment, your inclusive leadership, and for inspiring so many along the way. 💜

Happy International Women’s Day 💜Today we’re celebrating our founder, Judy Fryd. Writer, activist and the woman whose de...
08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day 💜

Today we’re celebrating our founder, Judy Fryd. Writer, activist and the woman whose determination sparked a movement.

In the 1940s, when her daughter Felicity was turned away from school and families were told there was no support for their children with a learning disability, Judy refused to accept it.

She taught Felicity at home, began writing to The Nursery World magazine under the name “Cinderella” to connect parents who felt alone, and soon started a small parents’ group from her dining table in Harpenden.

That little group became Mencap.

80 years later, her legacy is still shaping the future for the 1.5 million people with a learning disability living in the UK.

Here’s to Judy, and to the women who speak up for change.

Read more https://brnw.ch/21x0ygB

🌟 Congratulations Chris! 🌟A massive congratulations to our Inclusion Consultant Chris on his completion of the “Inclusiv...
07/03/2026

🌟 Congratulations Chris! 🌟
A massive congratulations to our Inclusion Consultant Chris on his completion of the “Inclusive Education - Social Citizenship” Course at Queen’s University Belfast!

While on the course Chris said they studied a variety of topics such as citizenship, advocacy, equality, as well as many others. 📝

Well Done Chris! 🎉

Yesterday Mencap Staff attended the NI Can’t Wait rally held at Guildhall Square in Derry/Londonderry.Staff from across ...
06/03/2026

Yesterday Mencap Staff attended the NI Can’t Wait rally held at Guildhall Square in Derry/Londonderry.
Staff from across our Employment Teams in NI were in attendence as well as our Campaigns Assistant Eoin who spoke on the day about his experiences with community based employment programmes, and how important they were to him in his career development.
With the proposed 64% cuts to funding, services like this will be unavailable or significantly reduced for 11,000 individuals across Northern Ireland who require support. Along with this the proposed cuts will potentially cause up to 4,000 individuals to lose their jobs.
These cuts will significantly reduce our ability as an organisation to continue to deliver the level of support many individuals with a learning disability across Northern Ireland need, as well as the ability of other organisations to deliver their much needed services to the people they support.
We know the impact these services have. We know these services make a difference, we know they change lives.
So we stand with our colleagues both within Mencap and across the sector in calling on the UK Government and the NI Executive to change the decision on these proposed cuts.

NICVA Action Mental Health

⭐️ Thank You Thursday! ⭐️We want to say a huge thank you to Emma McKenna, and everyone who supported the annual  Mc Kenn...
05/03/2026

⭐️ Thank You Thursday! ⭐️
We want to say a huge thank you to Emma McKenna, and everyone who supported the annual Mc Kenna's Bar Quiz in February! 🙌

A full house enjoyed a fabulous night's craic and together raised £3,520.00. 👏

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported Emma's big night with prizes and donations.

🌟 Volunteer with us! 🌟We are looking for individuals to volunteer with us at our annual summer scheme! ☀️As a volunteer ...
04/03/2026

🌟 Volunteer with us! 🌟
We are looking for individuals to volunteer with us at our annual summer scheme! ☀️

As a volunteer you will work with staff to ensure the children and young people attending the summer scheme are having fun, trying new things and are building their confidence. 🙌

This scheme runs throughout July and August, Monday - Friday from 8:45am - 4:15pm each day.

Volunteers can choose to join us for morning, afternoon or all day sessions, and ideally we ask volunteers to commit to a minimum of one week.

To apply to become a Summer Scheme Volunteer follow the link below! 👇

https://volunteering.mencap.org.uk/opportunities/109195-summer-scheme-volunteer-belfast-northern-ireland-2026-03-02

Get ready for an unforgettable night at the Take a Beat event in aid of Mencap NI featuring ✨local musical legends ✨our ...
03/03/2026

Get ready for an unforgettable night at the Take a Beat event in aid of Mencap NI featuring ✨local musical legends ✨our very own ambassador Dr James Martin MBE, plus ✨ a special Q&A with the Blue Lights cast.

Join the celebration this Sunday, 8th March 2026, at the Ulster Sports Club in Belfast, with doors opening at 6:30 PM.

Tickets for this exclusive one off event are strictly limited and available here.

Link for tickets 🎫 in comments

Huge appreciation to our fundraising committee for organising 💖

Ready to make a difference? Grab your wildest socks and fundraise for Mencap NI! 🙌Make sure to snap a photo and share so...
01/03/2026

Ready to make a difference? Grab your wildest socks and fundraise for Mencap NI! 🙌
Make sure to snap a photo and share so we can see you Rock Your Socks. 📸

Erin’s Mum, Roisin said, “Mencap is more than I could ever have imagined it to be. The impact it has on the lives of children with additional needs, and families is just immeasurable.”
We need you to support us so we can continue our work and support families like Erin and Roisin.

Sign up through the link below and start fundraising now! 👇

https://givp.nl/register/jmLg7CtB

📣 We want you to join our Healthier Me Team! 📣We are looking for five people to join our team as Healthier Me Champions!...
28/02/2026

📣 We want you to join our Healthier Me Team! 📣

We are looking for five people to join our team as Healthier Me Champions! 🙌

As a Healthier Me Champion you will:

⭐️ Encourage people with a learning disability to be more healthy

⭐️ Work towards your own Healthier Me Goal and share your journey

⭐️ Meet new people and talk about Healthier Me

⭐️ Help your manager run training sessions and meetings

⭐️ Join online meetings with other Healthier Me Champions from across the UK to share ideas and experiences

This role is part time fixed term contract until December 2027. You will work for a minimum of 4 hours per month, with extra hours paid when needed.

If you want to find out more about this role, or if you want to apply follow the link below! 👇

https://jobs.mencap.org.uk/vacancies/35614/healthier-me-champion.html

“In just three months, Lou has achieved what no one else could in five years: she has given Johnny hope, support, and a ...
27/02/2026

“In just three months, Lou has achieved what no one else could in five years: she has given Johnny hope, support, and a realistic path to employment.”

We know that the 64% cuts to funding announced by the UK Government is going to reduce our ability to support individuals like Johnny, and his family.

With 400 jobs potentially lost, this leaves 11,000 individuals across Northern Ireland without the support they need. These are not just statistics – these numbers represent real people we support.

We want to thank Johnny and his family for sharing their story, we could not be prouder of the work we do, and this can be seen through the dedication of our staff.

We know these programmes work, we know they change lives.

We also know that without adequate funding our teams would not be able to do the important work they do to support individuals like Johnny and his family.

We call on the UK Government and Northern Ireland Assembly to reverse the decision, and to work with community based organisations to create a plan that works for the individuals we support.

NICVA

Join us in celebrating inclusion, individuality, and community spirit! 🌟 Rock Your Socks with Mencap NI and show your su...
26/02/2026

Join us in celebrating inclusion, individuality, and community spirit! 🌟 Rock Your Socks with Mencap NI and show your support for people with a learning disability.

Erin was born in 2022 with Down Syndrome and medical complications. When she got home, her parents were overwhelmed and isolated. Then they found Mencap. Walking into the Mum & Baby group changed everything. They met parents on the same journey, found a safe space to share the hard moments, and rebuilt their confidence as a family.

Mencap NI services are a lifeline, but they rely on fundraising to reach every child, every family, and every adult who needs us. So start fundraising now and Rock Your Socks for Mencap NI!

You can sign up now through the link below! 👇

https://givp.nl/register/jmLg7CtB

🙌 Thank You Thursday! 🙌We want to say a massive thank you to Social Society’s John Magill and Paul Greenaway from Breda ...
26/02/2026

🙌 Thank You Thursday! 🙌

We want to say a massive thank you to Social Society’s John Magill and Paul Greenaway from Breda Academy who are providing lots of amazing leisure wear for our models at our fashion show this weekend! 📸

We cannot wait for the event this weekend - and if you want to be there you can get tickets now through the link below! 👇

https://events.mencap.org.uk/ps/event/FashionShow2026

Address

Mencap Centre, 5 School Road, Newtownbreda, Castlereagh
Belfast
BT86BT

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 6pm

Telephone

+448088081111

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