West Dorset Mencap is a local group based in Bridport and affiliated to Mencap.  We are registered with the charity commission and our charity number is 243100.  Our main aims are to provide help and support for people with a learning disability living in West Dorset and we strive to offer support to their families, dependants and carers.

We have a thriving charity shop in Bridport which helps raise funds for people with learning disabilities living in our local area.  We are not a day centre nor are we a training centre, but we offer volunteer placements to encourage social interaction and work like experience.  The funds raised by the shop underpin all the services that we provide:

• Accommodation for five adults with learning disabilities in Bridport
• Weekly daytime activity club – All Sorts, open to people with any level of disability.
• Fortnightly evening club – Gateway, open to people with any level of disability.
• Links with other local agencies and charities including Bridport Citizens Advice Bureau and Wheelchairs on the Beach project.
• Holiday Grants
• Individual Grants for activities, furniture and specialist equipment.
• Respite

We would not be able to offer the above services without the support from our many dedicated volunteers.

Our History

West Dorset Mencap was established in June 1965, originally as The West Dorset Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults.  The Society was founded by a group of caring and concerned parents at a time when there was little available for people with a learning disability.  Their aim was to improve facilities, education and opportunities for their children and young adults.   A great deal of campaigning was done to press for better educational facilities, social opportunities and other badly needed facilities, as well as raising funds.

During the 1970’s a huge fund raising drive was undertaken to provide enough money to buy a hostel for adults ready to leave home, something much needed locally.  A café was set up on the top of Askers in a trailer, near where the Askers Motel had been . It provided food and drink for travellers and was open day and night for a couple of days a week.  A considerable sum was raised, and a house in West Allington purchased to be run as a respite facility;  but due to government strictures it was not possible for this project to go ahead and the house had to be sold.  The money was later used to buy a house in Bridport approximately 25 years ago, enabling two learning disabled men to live independently, but with some supervision, until such a time as they were able to move into their own flats. Another house in Bridport was purchased around 15 years ago, to be used solely as a respite home for adults as there was no provision for respite locally.  Both properties are still owned by West Dorset Mencap and now offer homes for local people with learning disabilities.

In addition to the money raised, several legacies have been left to the Society, one in particular was a very considerable sum of money, for which the Society was most grateful and able to put it towards the purchase of the houses.

In the early days the committee met at the SEC and comprised of parents, interested and concerned individuals, the heads of Mountjoy School and SEC and Social Workers.

The charity shop opened in February 1984 in the Tanyard where Alley Cuts now is.  Our shop has gone from strength to strength and has now moved to East Street where it has many faithful regulars and contributes a very large amount of money to the Society to be spent in the local area.

Governance

The West Dorset Mencap committee is made up of the following members.  Committee meetings are held monthly and our annual AGM is held in May each year, all are very welcome to attend.  We are keen to welcome new members to our committee, please do contact us if you would like to be involved.

• Paul Hallett (Chairman)
• Julie Kelly (Vice Chairman)
• Simon Hosking (Treasurer)
• Lucy Hart (Secretary)

Committee Members

• Sue Hallett
• Dee Diment
• Mark Heath
• Susan Cosma
• Hannah Puddy
• Julie Kelly