Alan Stoppard

Patron with Lived Experience

​

Alan is a native of Chelmsford with a deep understanding of our local community.  He attended Thriftwood School from 1986 to 1999.

​

Until recently, Alan was responsible for maintaining facilities for local government bodies.  He worked at Chelmsford Borough Council from 2004 to 2011, before transferring to County Hall in 2012, where he contributed to the upkeep of Essex County Council’s headquarters.

 

Alan is a lifetime member of City of Chelmsford Mencap and became a student at our lifelong learning service, The Outreach Academy, in 2008.  He excelled in various courses, particularly pottery, in which     he assisted both the tutor and his peers.

 

As a dedicated advocate for people with a learning disability, Alan was invited to become trustee of City of Chelmsford Mencap in 2011.  He was the first trustee with a learning disability to join the Board, and for three years he held the role of Vice Chair.  One of his proudest achievements is his involvement in the charity’s successful transition to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2024.

 

Alan is also a longstanding volunteer at Mencap Centre, assisting with kitchen duties and sports sessions.  Alan has supported many fundraising events for CCM, including running the 10 mile course in the Baddow Races, and regularly volunteers at festivals and high street collections.  He has taken a key role in various awareness campaigns, including I, Too, Am Able, which showcased his abilities as a trustee.

 

Alan is passionate about sports, especially football, and ensuring our local community has inclusive provisions for young people and adults with a learning disability.  He was Chair of City Mencap Football Club (CMFC) from 2013 to 2016 and gained a coaching qualification from the Football Association to support players’ development.  He continued his coaching role when our football club transferred to Disability 4 Sport in 2023 and later to Chelmsford City FC.  Alan is now a volunteer coach for inclusive disability club Dovedale Flyers and also sits on their committee. 

 

In his spare time, Alan enjoys watching sports, especially football and wrestling, and going to sea shanty festivals.

 

Alan was appointed CCM’s inaugural Patron with Lived Experience in June 2025.  This newly created role marks the beginning of CCM’s 75th anniversary celebrations, and reflects the charity’s commitment to involving people with lived experience in shaping its priorities and strategy.

 

Alan says “I feel very proud to have been appointed to this new position.  It is very important to me to use my knowledge and experience to help CCM and its service users to achieve even more public awareness and support.”