Our annual Christmas Quiz on the 4th December at Headrow House in Leeds was a huge success!
We had around 60 quizzers, all of whom were very much up for a fun night out. There was a mix of familiar faces and new teams, all of whom were ready to win!
A huge thank you to Superfriendz for their help in bringing the event together and Headrow House, which have supported the quiz for a number of years by providing the venue, an excellent quiz master and a prize for the winning team! https://headrowhouse.com/
Wish 12- Leeds is an inclusive city for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities
17th December 2025
The Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes represent the voices of children and young people in Leeds.
Here at Leeds Mencap, we support the CFL 12 Wishes and the campaign to raise awareness of these.
Wish 12 says:
"Leeds is an inclusive city for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Children and young people feel there is more awareness and understanding of different disabilities and that there are more activities and places to go that are accessible to all."
Wish 12 is what Leeds Mencap is all about – inclusive activities and increasing awareness and understanding of learning disabilities, autism and other complex needs and disabilities.
We provide fun, safe and inclusive spaces for children and young people aged between 0 and 25 thorough a mix of clubs, playschemes, groups and activities.
Our team are also here to support parents, carers and other professionals in a wide range of ways.
The Vinery Centre, our fully accessible home, also welcomes groups and organisations from across Leeds that provide services for people with SEND.
Our vision is that children and young people with learning disabilities, autism and other complex needs reach their full potential in the communities we serve, where every individual is valued, supported and equipped to thrive.
Leeds Mencap | The National Lottery Community Fund
9th December 2025
Leeds Mencap is delighted to share that we have been awarded a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund for our Siblings Group!
Thanks to players of the National Lottery, we're able to continue delivering 'Sibs' for siblings of children with learning disabilities, autism and other complex needs.
Sibs runs every Tuesday evening during term time at The Vinery Centre and is welcoming new members. You can find out more here!
Wish 11- Young people have access to a wide range of work experience, employment and volunteering opportunities
11th November 2025
The Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes represent the voices of children and young people in Leeds.
Here at Leeds Mencap, we support the CFL 12 Wishes and the campaign to raise awareness of these.
Wish 11 says:
"Young people have access to a wide range of work experience, employment and volunteering opportunities. They know where to get information and advice and are supported to access a wide range of opportunities that meet their needs and aspirations."
Do you know someone who is looking to build their knowledge and experience of working with children and young people with a learning disability, autism or other complex needs?
We are supported by fantastic volunteers in all areas of Leeds Mencap – and many of our volunteers are young people wanting to gain experience to support them in their college or university studies, as well as finding out more about the world of work and where their career path might take them.
Trustees oversee everything a charity does. They ensure that their charity has a clear strategy, and that its work and goals are in line with its vision. A Trustee's role in a charity is to be the ‘guardians of purpose’, making sure that all decisions put the needs of beneficiaries first.
They also safeguard the charity’s assets – both physical assets, including property, and intangible ones, such as its reputation. They make sure these are used well and that the charity is run sustainably.
Trustees don’t usually do the day-to-day running of the charity, with this being delegated to staff. Instead, they play the role of a ‘critical friend’ by giving support and by challenging – in a supportive way – to help them manage effectively. However, in smaller charities with few staff, Trustees may take hands-on roles too.
At Leeds Mencap, we're lucky to have a lovely team of dedicated Trustees who volunteer their expertise in a range of areas and work together to help Leeds Mencap thrive!
Trustee Craig Williams has kindly taken the time to share more about his role.
What inspired/ motivated you to become a Trustee for Leeds Mencap?
My career was based on supporting vulnerable groups in education, training and personal development and I was keen to use my skills, experiences and network in an appropriate voluntary role and jumped at the chance to join Leeds Mencap.
What kind of tasks do you do as a Trustee?
I provide strategic leadership, support to management and oversight on operational and financial performance at Board and other appropriate settings. I also carry my role around with me and promote Leeds Mencap services and profile when networking.
As a Board, we are responsible and accountable to the Charity Commission and Companies House for the operational delivery of all services and overall performance of Leeds Mencap. This involves appropriate oversight in line with the strategy and objectives.
In total I estimate that my Trustee role involves two or three days a month.
What are the benefits/ most rewarding aspects of being a Trustee?
I am mindful of pressures of the public purse and the needs of vulnerable young people and their families/carers. Statutory services are receding and can be complicated to engage and access appropriate support.
Not for profit organisations such as Leeds Mencap seek to support and advocate for vulnerable young people and their families/carers and thereby compliment and enhance statutory services. As such, this fundamental strategy and the associated values involved, make being a Trustee a very satisfying experience in terms of contributing and supporting (especially on tough issues). At the same time, I am expanding my understanding of the issues involved with services as well as enhancing my skills in strategic oversight and governance of performance governance with fellow Trustees (which also enhance my network).
What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a Trustee?
Do your research!
Is Leeds Mencap an appropriate fit for you?
Can you commit the required time and energy and keep your ‘eyes wide open’?
Quality Trustee work is fine when ‘the ship is steady’ but a real test of commitment is in ‘choppy waters’ and the role invariable involves both (i.e. complacency and need to roll sleeves up).
What is the most important thing you want people to know about Leeds Mencap?
Our purpose (known as Objects) involves supporting children and young people with learning disabilities, autism and other complex needs, and their families/carers with regard to learning, education, welfare and well-being at a time of increasing need and real pressure on services, Leeds Mencap is here to assist by making a positive contribution and impact on young people’s lives so they and their families and carers are in the best position to realise their young people’s potential to live a fulfilling life in Leeds and beyond.
Interested in becoming a Leeds Mencap Trustee? Click here to find out more!
Wish 10- Children and young people are in learning settings that meet their needs.
23rd October 2025
The Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes represent the voices of children and young people in Leeds.
Here at Leeds Mencap, we support the CFL 12 Wishes and the campaign to raise awareness of these.
Wish 10 says:
"Children and young people are in learning settings that meet their needs. Early years settings, schools and post-16 settings identify and address the barriers that prevent children and young people, particularly those with additional needs, engaging in and enjoying learning."
If you are looking for support with your child’s learning setting, our Family Services Team can help to point you in the right direction. Contact us via our website www.leedsmencap.org.uk/contact-us
If your child is aged 0-5, come along to our Chats & Tots stay & play sessions on Friday mornings during term time where you can meet our staff and talk about early years options and starting school.
Leeds Mencap | All Star Prizes
22nd October 2025
Our meeting room TV that was acting up so we put out a call for help and All Star Prizes answered in the most spectacular way—by donating a brand new TV! A massive thank you to the incredible team for their support and being our TV heroes!
Leeds Mencap | The National Lottery Community Fund
16th October 2025
Leeds Mencap is absolutely thrilled to share that we have received funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to support the delivery of our programme ‘There4Me’.
Thanks to players of the National Lottery, we will be able to continue supporting parents and carers of children with learning disabilities, autism and other complex needs from communities across Leeds, and provide opportunities for them to come together and share experiences.
Wish 9- Opportunities to take part in physical activity
24th September 2025
The Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes represent the voices of children and young people in Leeds.
Here at Leeds Mencap, we support the CFL 12 Wishes and the campaign to raise awareness of these.
Wish 9 says:
"Children and young people know about different opportunities to take part in physical activity and are supported and encouraged to join in. They have access to the information they need to make healthy choices and have healthy and safe relationships."
At Leeds Mencap, we LOVE September! We welcome back all of our club attendees, the children that come to our Nursery and the families that we work with.
Our wonderful home, the Vinery Centre, gives our children and young people lots of opportunities to take part in fun, accessible physical activity that suits their needs.
We also make sure that we provide lots of healthy choices when it comes to meal and snack time.
We really value the importance of safe and healthy relationships, and tailor our sessions to support our children and young people to build positive new friendships.
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The Lord Mayor's Charity Golf Day 2025
4th September 2025
It may not have been the driest and sunniest of days but that didn't stop over 20 teams taking part in the Lord Mayor's Charity Golf Day and and raising funds for Leeds Mencap!
A huge thank you to the main sponsor of the day Build Concierge; to Moor Allerton Golf Club for hosting; to the businesses who sponsored holes and the food; to those who donated prizes for the raffle and auction and to those who took part. All this generous support made the Golf Day possible and such a success, raising an amazing £10,976!
Wish 8- Reducing the impact of poverty
14th August 2025
The Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes represent the voices of children and young people in Leeds.
Here at Leeds Mencap, we support the CFL 12 Wishes and the campaign to raise awareness of these.
Wish 8 says:
"Leeds is a city that reduces the impact of poverty and helps families who need it. Children, young people and families experiencing the impact of poverty feel they are supported and receive the help they need. They have their basic rights and needs met."
Leeds Mencap's wonderful Nursery - Jimbo's Community Nursery - has signed up to the FareShare scheme. Through its work, FareShare redistributes food surplus, supporting families in need of food support. Our families are able to take away food, including fruit and vegetables, that is still fresh but might otherwise have gone to waste. We also use food from FareShare to contribute to the healthy, nutritious meals we make for the children who come to our Nursery.
Healthy Holidays funding enables us to provide children from families who are eligible for income-related free school meals access to healthy meals, physical activities, and opportunities to learn about nutrition.
Our Family Services Team and Nursey Leaders are also available to help all our families if they find themselves in need of extra support. We can help to connect you with people and organisations across Leeds that are there to provide support regarding lots of different areas.
Wish 7- Different things to do and places to go
6th August 2025
The Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes represent the voices of children and young people in Leeds.
Here at Leeds Mencap, we support the CFL 12 Wishes and the campaign to raise awareness of these.
Wish 7 says:
“Children and young people know about different things to do and places to go across the city. They enjoy different cultural experiences such as art, music, sport and film.”
At Leeds Mencap we run holiday activities through our Playschemes and Healthy Holidays weeks at our wonderful Jimbo's Community Nursery. Our Summer programmes for 2025 are fully booked, but keep following us on social media for updates on future fun holiday activities!
Volunteer Spotlight- Sue
6th August 2025
Marketing is something I have come to later in life, but it is something I have a real passion for.
After many years working in administrative roles in the public sector including working for the NHS and Adult Social Care, developing a chronic respiratory condition made me reassess what I wanted to do with my life.
During the Pandemic when I was shielding, I took my love of creative writing and started to develop new skills such as content writing, and design.
I have completed several courses, including in SEO, analytics, email marketing and social media strategies. I have a love of learning, and just because you reach a certain age, it does not mean you have to stop developing new skills or having new experiences.
Although I was expanding my knowledge in marketing, I still needed practical experience, so I decided to look for organisations where I could get this hands-on experience I needed.
Leeds Mencap is one of the places who I have been lucky enough to secure a position. I am really exited to be given this opportunity and hopefully gain further skills to enable me to get where I want to be.
The road to developing a new career is full of bumps and the occasional pothole, but I am enjoying the journey.
Wish 6- Safe and Easy Travel
16th June 2025
The Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes represent the voices of children and young people in Leeds.
Here at Leeds Mencap, we support the CFL 12 Wishes and the campaign to raise awareness of these.
Wish 6 says: Children and young people can travel around the city safely and easily.
Do you need support or advice regarding travel for your child?
The Leeds Local Offer website has information and links for who to get in touch with regarding transport and travel.
We were thrilled to attend the recent inauguration of the new Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Dan Cohen.
As his chosen charity, Leeds Mencap is excited to work alongside the Lord Mayor of Leeds to raise awareness of the work we do and raise funds to further support our families.
You can find out more here: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/councillors-and-democracy/lord-mayor
Early Years SEND Inclusion Reception
10th June 2025
Staff from Jimbo's Community Nursery attended the Dingley's Promise's Early Years SEND Inclusion Reception at the House of Lords.
The event shared key recommendations from Dingley's Promise for a vital policy change to improve access for children with SEND to an early years education.
The Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes represent the voices of children and young people in Leeds. Leeds Mencap supports the CFL 12 Wishes and the campaign to raise awareness of these.
Wish 5 says : 'Everyone takes more action to protect the environment from climate change'
Leeds Mencap is committed to sustainability and limiting our impact on the environment as well as the importance of educating children and young people about their environment.
Our home, the Vinery Centre, is equipped with solar panels, air source heat pumps and we keep up to date with technology and look for opportunities to increase and improve our ability to use renewable energy.
At our Outstanding Jimbo’s Community Nursery we include the environment as part of our Early Years Curriculum. We have wilder areas around our grounds to support biodiversity and have a bug hotel as part of the outside play resource for children.
My name is Amelia Ritchie, and I study English Literature with Film Studies at the University of Leeds! I’m in my second year, and I’m originally from a town in Greater Manchester. I wanted to volunteer for Leeds Mencap as a Marketing and Communications Volunteer to help boost the visibility of a charity whose work is so important. Mencap have helped members of my family in the past, so it’s great to be able to give back in any way I can.
Due to my background working at a marketing agency in Manchester, I wanted to exercise these skills in a positive way and gain new skills within marketing that I can take forward. I worked as a Content Writer, meaning I have experience in writing material that satisfies a user and engages a range of audiences. I wanted to gain some experience outside of agency life, and Leeds Mencap seemed like a great place to learn more about the inner workings of charity marketing and social media marketing.
I’m a keen writer and hope to write some engaging material during my time at Leeds Mencap. I enjoy going to concerts, reading and watching films, cooking, and going on dog walks when I’m back home. I also enjoy creative writing and writing about films when I’m not writing Uni essays! I hope to start my own film blog one day. I love going to the cinema, so being near Hyde Park Picture House and Cottage Road Cinema is a bonus of living in Leeds!
I currently also volunteer at Leeds Industrial Museum as a Film Histories Volunteer, helping assist with film history research and creating an exhibition. I had only volunteered on one off occasions for local charities in the past, which is why I want to gain more experience whilst I can. I believe volunteering is so important, and I’m excited to have this opportunity to volunteer for Leeds Mencap!
Wish 3- youth voice
13th March 2025
The Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes represent the voices of children and young people in Leeds.
Leeds Mencap supports the CFL 12 Wishes and the campaign to raise awareness of these.
Wish 3 says 'Children and young people express their views, feel heard and are involved in decisions that affect their lives.'
Here's how we support this wish at Leeds Mencap:
Wish 2- safe spaces
28th February 2025
The Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes represent the voices of children and young people in Leeds.
Leeds Mencap supports the CFL 12 Wishes and the campaign to raise awareness of these.
Wish 1 says ‘Children and young people have safe spaces to play, hang out and have fun.
All Leeds Mencap's clubs meet at The Vinery Centre, which has purpose built facilities including activity spaces, soft play and sensory rooms and an outdoor, enclosed play area. It's perfect for our club members to play safely and have lots of fun at the same time!
For more information about the spaces we have and how you can hire them, visit https://www.leedsmencap.org.uk/hire-our-rooms/
Wish 1- mental health and wellbeing
30th January 2025
The Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes represent the voices of children and young people in Leeds.
Leeds Mencap supports the CFL 12 Wishes and the campaign to raise awareness of these.
Wish 1 says ‘Children and young people know how and where to get support for their mental health and wellbeing if they need it.’
Here's how we support mental health and wellbeing at Leeds Mencap:
We run activities all year round that give children and young people with learning disabilities a chance to meet new friends, learn new things and play together in a safe, welcoming and inclusive space.
We know how important it is for encouraging positive mental health to have opportunities to socialise, enjoy fun activities and to enjoy new experiences.
For more information about our fantastic youth clubs, playschemes, siblings groups and our dedicated SEND Stay and Play sessions, visit www.leedsmencap.org.uk
Did you know you can also hire our fun, safe and accessible activity rooms, sensory room and soft play area for parties, individual time or groups? To find out more, contact us at info@leedsmencap.org.uk
If you are a child or a young person, or a parent or carer looking for mental health support, please visit the MindMate website- www.mindmate.org.uk
Our Christmas Quiz!
30th December 2024
On the 5th December, we held our annual Christmas Quiz! The night consisted of five teams ready to go, with only one winner and a £50 bar tab – everyone wanted to win!
It was so lovely be able to come together and share the Christmas spirit with our quiz master Tom keeping us entertained throughout the night. We had some intense rounds of questions which consisted of music, rhyming, riddles and more.
It was so nice to see everyone come along and show their support for Leeds Mencap, including our friends at Ison Harrison Solicitors. The money raised will help us support children and young people with learning disabilities and autism and their families across Leeds.
We want to extend our thanks to Headrow House for allowing us to host our quiz- it was a great atmosphere and overall great night!
We also want to thank anyone who supported the event in some way whether that be by signing up for our raffle, donating or attending the quiz. This amazing amount would not have been made possible without your help!
-Millie Mangham, Marketing and Communications Volunteer
The Allan Boffey Memorial Trophy
12th November 2024
The Allan Boffey Memorial Trophy is a fitting tribute to a man who didn't think twice about helping others. Family and friends of Allan get together annually to raise funds for a local charity. This year, the event supported Leeds Mencap.
Allan's son Shaun writes:
My dad Allan Boffey spent his whole life going over and above what was expected of him. He put more into the world than he took out. So when he unexpectedly died in 2018, it wasn’t just his immediate family that were impacted; his wider family, friends, work colleagues, strangers whose cars he would push out of the snow on a hill outside his house, all knowingly or unknowingly felt the loss. He also supported charities throughout his life, taking it upon himself to pull people together and raise money for local causes. He never did any of this in his own name or for self promotion. He did it because it was the right thing to do.
To keep his memory and his spirit going, The Allan Boffey Memorial Trophy was born, whereby a group of friends and family who knew him, meet annually in some form of competition (crazy golf this year) and raise money for a local charity on his behalf.
This year we were happy to raise money for Leeds Mencap; a wonderful charity supporting young people, people with learning disabilities and vulnerable families. Allan would certainly have been a supporter of the work this charity does, because our communities are better if we support the most vulnerable parts of our society, and hopefully this money will be a small contribution towards that support.
Thank you Leeds Mencap.
A huge thank you to everyone who took part in this year's Allan Boffey Memorial Trophy. Your generosity and commitment to honouring Allan's memory has made a real difference in the lives of those supported by Leeds Mencap.
Enhancing Sensory Experiences
17th October 2024
As we continue our series of blog posts this is an important one to kick off the new academic year!
Here, at Leeds Mencap, we would like to say a big thank you to the Trustees of the Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation who have kindly given a grant towards a range of sensory resources for our sensory room.
Many children with learning disabilities and other additional needs such as autism, have sensory needs and benefit from access to sensory resources. Here at Leeds Mencap we provide a sensory room with built in sensory experiences such as soft lighting, tactile surfaces and a range of resources for interactive experiences. Our sensory room, a space utilised by families, local schools and community groups, offers a range of modern equipment to support a variety of sensory and interactive experiences for all ages. Our room is specifically designed to give a sensory experience for children and adults with additional needs. We have a tracked hoisting and changing places toilet on site as well as free accessible parking.
This kind donation has enabled us to further enhance this space and provide children with sensory experiences. Examples include a sensory tactile play track which creates a multi-sensory experience for children. By encouraging children to explore the different textures under their feet, they stimulate their tactile sense, promoting sensory exploration and motor skill development.
We have also invested in some sensory fluid ball which caters to individual children’s preferences for sensory experiences though differences in texture, density and bounce.
A final example is our sit and spin carousel which allows an enhanced sensory experience by providing tactile stimulation during play, aiding in the development of body awareness.
Sensory rooms have a range of benefits. They have been shown to decrease anxiety and increase relaxation. Our soft lighting and tactile materials promote this as well as enhancing emotional well-being. Having access to a sensory room can evoke positive emotional experiences. Lastly, a sensory room offers a controlled and safe environment for individuals to explore sensory stimuli at their own pace. This allows them to gradually become more comfortable with sensory experiences that might otherwise be overwhelming.
At Leeds Mencap you are able to book a variety of our rooms, including our sensory room. In addition we also offer soft playrooms, meeting rooms and activity rooms. We aim to cater to everyone’s needs with free parking, free Wi-Fi and a friendly and experienced on site team. You can find more information on our website under ‘Hire our Rooms’.
Well, summer is officially here, and although it's the school holidays, we have been busier than ever with our summer playscheme and healthy holidays taking place. It's been lovely to see all the children and young people enjoying activities at the centre and having fun!
This month, we've welcomed a new Marketing and Communications Volunteer to the team!
'Hi, my name is Millie Mangham. I am from a small town in the West Midlands called Shrewsbury. I am currently going into my second year at the University of Leeds studying Business Management with Marketing. My time in Leeds so far has been very enlightening and has allowed me to understand more about myself whilst further broadening my passion for marketing. Within my course, I have learnt the more technical side of marketing. However, during my time at Leeds Mencap I am excited to gain more hands-on experience in the industry and showcase my skills in any way I can.
Ever since I was a child, I have always had a unique interest for marketing and the different ways consumers behave. I want to put this into practice and help Leeds Mencap in any way I can grow into a more recognisable charity. I have previously worked with charities such as Self-Help Africa raising money for less fortunate children in underdeveloped countries. This experience sparked my interest in charities as I could see how much impact a small gesture can make. This led me to join Leeds Mencap as I feel their charity values and beliefs are extremely admirable.
I have always had a keen interest in sports from a young age – I wish to continue this passion for the future hoping to pursue a career in sports marketing. I am an active member of the University of Leeds Women’s Hockey Society where I was previously appointed captain of my team in my first year of university. I have now been given the opportunity of publicity secretary going into my second year. I am hoping my experience with Leeds Mencap provides me with insightful knowledge and experience, allowing me to relay my understanding for any future opportunities.
I am eager to continue to develop my marketing and creativity skills with Leeds Mencap by creating new content and material for their socials and continue to network further.'
If you’re interested in volunteering at Leeds Mencap then please get in touch with us on info@leedsmencap.org.uk or 0113 235 1331
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