City of Chelmsford Mencap is an independent local charity providing services for people with a learning disability across mid-Essex, ensuring they receive care and support to live life to the full.

News

IMPORTANT  Coronavirus (COVID-19) UPDATE - Mencap Centre and The Outreach Academy closed until further notice.

The staff and trustees of City of Chelmsford Mencap have been reviewing the situation regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis on an hour by hour basis.  Our top priority is the well-being of our service users and staff.  

For the following reasons, we have taken the difficult decision to close Mencap Centre and The Outreach Academy until further notice:

• Completion of Essex County Council's risk assessment of service users’ dependency suggests very few are at risk of interruption to care at home.  For those that are at risk, it is safer for them to receive regular telephone calls from our staff to check on their welfare, rather than attend Mencap Centre.

• The vast majority of our service users have underlying health conditions, are in the at-risk age groups, or have other reasons to self-isolate.

• We have a high number of staff who need to self-isolate for their own wellbeing, or that of their dependents, in line with government advice.  Therefore, our staffing is already at a critical point and there is a high probability that at little or no notice we will be unable to operate with the prescribed staff:service users ratio.

• The Government’s decision to close schools, restaurants, pubs, leisure centres etc. to contain Coronavirus.

Please be assured that we will be keeping in touch with ALL our service users during this difficult time:

• As described above, our trained support staff will be making telephone calls to check on the welfare of our more vulnerable service users, and will work with Essex County Council to ensure they continue to receive the care they need.

• Staff, tutors and volunteers are planning ways to keep in touch with service users, including providing virtual learning and social activities for our Outreach Academy students.  More details of these plans will be sent out in the coming days.

• We will keep everyone updated via email and social media. We are aware that some service users and their families do not have internet access and we will keep in touch with them by telephone and post.

If you need to contact us, please note: our email address has changed,  The main contact email address is now info@cityofchelmsfordmencap.co.uk

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All Football related services are also cancelled.

Events

After conversations with staff and partners, we are sad to say that, in light of current circumstances, we have taken the decision to postpone upcoming events in April including Grease Singalong and Disco! on Friday 3rd April and our Quiz Night on Friday 24 April.

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For those of you who have already purchased tickets, those tickets will be valid and transferable to the rescheduled event, or any future event.

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👀Keep your eyes peeled for our online alternative activity suggestions!👀

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