www.mencap.org.uk

Mencap
Mencap is campaigning for a world where everyone with a learning disability has an equal right to choice, opportunity and respect, with the support they need.

Services
We provide residential, education and employment services, leisure opportunities and individual support and advice for people with a learning disability, their families and carers.

Learning for life
Learning is an essential part of life for everybody. It helps people to develop the skills they need to live independently, work and enjoy leisure time. For people with a learning disability, learning new skills at all ages means more choices and more independence.

Children and adults with a learning disability have the right to develop in every aspect of their lives. That's why Mencap provides education services and other learning opportunities.

Mencap National College
The Mencap National College provides further education for 16-25 year olds with a learning disability. The college has three sites in Northumberland, Somerset and North Wales. The extended curriculum encompasses personal, social and independent living skills, leisure skills and vocational training. Living away from home, students practise what they learn every day and can really focus on developing independence and taking more responsibility for themselves.

At the colleges, people get to learn in real situations. Students use local community facilities and some study courses at other local colleges. People learn in real workplaces too. On our college sites students run shops, cafes, farms and a bed and breakfast. People work with the public and really get to find out what it's all about.

Everybody who comes to Mencap National College develops an individual training plan with their personal tutor. All students are also involved in monitoring their own progress and measuring their own achievements. And as well as keeping a record of their work, students can work towards a range of external qualifications, such as NVQs and City and Guilds.

Mencap School's Spellathon 2001
Mencap's Schools Spellathon has been running successfully since 1994. It's a sponsored spelling test for school pupils using Oxford University Press approved lists. There is a choice of lists to suit your own school's needs. Pupils are sponsored per word, and each word they spell correctly will earn money for Mencap. It's a perfect way to encourage children to learn, whilst also achieving something for a worthy cause.

The Spellathon in 2001 has raised a fantastic £80,000 and the money is still coming in! Many teachers have used the Spellathon as part of their Literacy Hour which has been great fun for students. Groups and associations have also used Spellathon successfully as part of their award schemes or citizenship programmes. You can take part in Spellathon at any time of the year. Please phone our hotline 0845 9777 779 or e-mail us at events@mencap.org.uk

www.mencap.org.uk