Scarborough Charity Launches Big Build Appeal For New Learning Disability Centre

Scarborough and District Mencap is asking the community to back a multi-million-pound fundraising drive to construct a modern, accessible facility for individuals with learning disabilities.

Scarborough and District Mencap is appealing to the public to back the next stage of its ambitious construction initiative. The organisation, which has aided families in the area for more than seven decades, is aiming to generate £1.2 million to build a bespoke centre for individuals with learning disabilities.

Furthermore, the charity hopes to secure an additional £2.3 million to create future residential housing at its Brookleigh base on Valley Road. The existing premises have been operational since 1978 and are struggling to cope with increasing requirements, particularly for those with complex needs and individuals who use wheelchairs.

The organisation has successfully obtained planning consent for the new facility, alongside outline permission for the accessible accommodation. Preparatory operations have already commenced, with a new access route being established to assist service users in familiarising themselves with the site's transformation.

Those who use the charity's services are playing a key role in the project. Participants have been delivering presentations across Scarborough to raise awareness about the initiative. They have also been involved in hunting for a time capsule that was buried on the grounds in 1991. One individual, Edward, recently conducted a search using a metal detector.

Katrina Taylor, Chief Executive Officer at the charity, said:

"This is an incredibly exciting moment for our charity. The new centre will provide modern, flexible spaces for learning, activities, and support, and we’re inviting everyone to help bring this vision to life."

Toni, who uses the service and acts as an ambassador for the project, said:

"I am really happy that we will have a new Mencap building. I am looking forward to better lighting, quiet places to chat, spaces to meet my friends, and a bigger hall."

The organisation delivers a variety of services, including community initiatives, day care, children's provision, and home-based support. They also run the ACE+ scheme, which receives financial backing from the National Lottery. To reach their financial targets, the group is urging locals, commercial enterprises, and community collectives to get involved through volunteering, sponsorship, or organising fundraising activities.

Jenny Stamford has been employed by the organisation since it first provided assistance to her son, Edward, more than four decades ago.

Reflecting on her family's long relationship with the charity, Jenny said:

"I joined the young mums group and ever since that day Edward and I have had services and the whole family have been supported by Scarborough and District Mencap. And so throughout his childhood, throughout teenage years, when he moved into his own supported flat and now he has a day service which enables him to have work experience through helping in the Mencap charity shop."

Jenny then explained how the support has transformed her son's life, saying:

"My son has learnt how to talk, how to communicate, how to be social, his extra energy been channelled into good activities. He's EJ the DJ at the railway club on a Wednesday. He is a Special Olympic swimmer on a Saturday night, a bowler on a Saturday morning and he helps in the charity shop during the day. And all of this was unimaginable from his early life."

Speaking about the fundraising efforts and the urgent need for modernised facilities, Jenny explained:

"So we've launched a campaign to raise funds. We want 1.2 million pounds. We are in the process of asking the local community how could you help us. We've applied for grant applications. We'll be talking to local and statutory organizations. And we just need people to get behind the appeal. We've got a charity shop in town which is in the Balmoral Centre. We've got a website. Perhaps local organisations would like to make a donation or they might want to do a fundraising event to help us."

Jenny added she can't thank the charity enough for all they've provided her and Edward:

"So lifelong help and support, which I know personally is really helpful to the person and their family. We want to make sure that there are facilities in the future for other families and people with a learning disability and autism. So we recognise that the current building that we have in Valley Road is just about at its end of its ability to provide the facilities that are going to be needed in the future."