Mencap in Kirklees, supporting people with a learning disability.

Mencap In Kirklees has been coproducing life changing outcomes with people with learning disabilities and their families for 75 years!

In 1946 a small group of parents got together to protest about lack of facilities for their ‘mentally handicapped’ children as they were then called. They were an extraordinary group of people who were determined to ensure that their children received the best opportunities they could create. 1946 was before the NHS and well before social services or anything like it in its present form. They were certain that they wanted their children to live with them in their family homes getting an education and living life the same as everyone else.

In 1946 there were no schools for people with learning disabilities instead families were frequently encouraged to hand their child over to be cared for in an institution or hospital setting. Our founders supported each other and began running their own activities for the children. Over time this developed into The Huddersfield Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults who ran parents’ evenings and leisure activities. A key member of the group was Maude Cooper. Maude was a remarkable person – she campaigned tirelessly throughout her long life to get the best opportunities for her daughter Jean. Maude’s determined spirit was long lasting as she lived until she was 108!

The family members worked together and at Waverley Hall in Huddersfield ran leisure clubs, and social and evening clubs enabling people with learning disabilities and their families to spend time together, support one another and have fun. They raised funds and bought a chalet by the coast to enable families to get a much-needed break by the sea.

In the 1980’s we took the brave step of becoming a support provider. We wanted to put all the knowledge we had built up over the years to create real change for people.

We worked very closely with colleagues at Kirklees Social Services on the development of newly created “Community Care”. This new way of working fitted so well with what the families had campaigned for over 4 decades. Large hospital settings began to close and we reached out to offer “group homes” where people with learning disabilities could live in their local communities in ordinary housing. This led to the first group home in the area at Dryclough in Crosland Moor. In 1986 we worked in partnership with the NHS who funded the refurbishment of our premises at Waverley Hall to create the first day-service for people with learning disabilities run by the voluntary sector.

1996

In 1996 to celebrate fifty years of supporting people with a learning disability we set up the Full Body and the Voice Theatre Company based at The Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield. This company proved so successful that they were able to become independent and have continued to this day as the award-winning Dark Horse Theatre Company.

Sadly, funding was not sustainable for these schemes but we would be very keen to set up such services again when resources enable us to do so.

2008

In 2008 Huddersfield Mencap, as we were then known, merged with Share to form Mencap in Kirklees. This led to us running services on a Kirklees-wide basis. #TeamMiK was born! We were able to ensure that we could support people across Kirklees tailoring our support to what was needed across the area.

We still believe in working together to create opportunities. We have never forgotten our history and constantly strive to make things better. We want to remember the past, reflect on how far we have travelled and build for the future. We value our volunteers very highly, whether they support on a one to one basis or add extra value to day services, leisure groups and care homes.

We especially thank our Board Members. All of whom are volunteers tirelessly giving up their time, knowledge and experience to ensure Mencap in Kirklees is delivering the best possible support we can.