Latest news with #Mencap
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cafe run by adults with learning disability praised
A national charity for people with learning disabilities said a cafe that gives vulnerable adults real life experiences was "brilliant" preparation for work or volunteering opportunities. Spectrum Northants supports adults with learning disabilities, mental health issues and autism. Through its cafe in Duston, Northampton, it is teaching retail and customer service skills. Jackie O'Sullivan from the charity Mencap said there needed to be more experiences like the cafe "because we know that people with a learning disability really want to work [but] so very few do". Official figures put the employment rate for those with learning disabilities at 5% and Ms O'Sullivan said 85% of those with without a job "want one". "They just need to find the right pathways into work and [the cafe] is a brilliant way to get people job skills and life skills that can really benefit them in future employment," she said. Spectrum Northants has two centres in Northampton and works with more 90 adults with special needs and disabilities. Since 2017 it has run a charity shop to give its service users retail experience, and ran a pop-up cafe in 2023. In March it opened the cafe on its Berrywood Road site. Spectrum chief executive Mark Mitchell said through the cafe they "get to build their confidence and their important building blocks for actually progressing and getting the best quality of life". He said: "We have a number of individuals who would like to progress, be that into other learning, into volunteering or employment and the venue like this builds their skills. "They get to meet members of the public, engage with members of the public. "They get to build their confidence and their important building blocks for actually progressing and getting the best quality of life." Victoria is one of those who works in the cafe and she "likes coming here". She said: "I like working on the till and meeting all the customers... making the drinks and just meeting everyone and seeing everyone. "I love working in a cafe." She said the work had given her the "independence to speak to people and I've built up my confidence". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Special needs college to teach at heritage site Learning disability charity gets £140,000 grant Spectrum Northants
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cafe run by adults with learning disability praised
A national charity for people with learning disabilities said a cafe that gives vulnerable adults real life experiences was "brilliant" preparation for work or volunteering opportunities. Spectrum Northants supports adults with learning disabilities, mental health issues and autism. Through its cafe in Duston, Northampton, it is teaching retail and customer service skills. Jackie O'Sullivan from the charity Mencap said there needed to be more experiences like the cafe "because we know that people with a learning disability really want to work [but] so very few do". Official figures put the employment rate for those with learning disabilities at 5% and Ms O'Sullivan said 85% of those with without a job "want one". "They just need to find the right pathways into work and [the cafe] is a brilliant way to get people job skills and life skills that can really benefit them in future employment," she said. Spectrum Northants has two centres in Northampton and works with more 90 adults with special needs and disabilities. Since 2017 it has run a charity shop to give its service users retail experience, and ran a pop-up cafe in 2023. In March it opened the cafe on its Berrywood Road site. Spectrum chief executive Mark Mitchell said through the cafe they "get to build their confidence and their important building blocks for actually progressing and getting the best quality of life". He said: "We have a number of individuals who would like to progress, be that into other learning, into volunteering or employment and the venue like this builds their skills. "They get to meet members of the public, engage with members of the public. "They get to build their confidence and their important building blocks for actually progressing and getting the best quality of life." Victoria is one of those who works in the cafe and she "likes coming here". She said: "I like working on the till and meeting all the customers... making the drinks and just meeting everyone and seeing everyone. "I love working in a cafe." She said the work had given her the "independence to speak to people and I've built up my confidence". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Special needs college to teach at heritage site Learning disability charity gets £140,000 grant Spectrum Northants
BBC News
8 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Northampton cafe run by adults with learning disabilities praised
A national charity for people with learning disabilities said a cafe that gives vulnerable adults real life experiences was "brilliant" preparation for work or volunteering Northants supports adults with learning disabilities, mental health issues and its cafe in Duston, Northampton, it is teaching retail and customer service O'Sullivan from the charity Mencap said there needed to be more experiences like the cafe "because we know that people with a learning disability really want to work [but] so very few do". Official figures put the employment rate for those with learning disabilities at 5% and Ms O'Sullivan said 85% of those with without a job "want one"."They just need to find the right pathways into work and [the cafe] is a brilliant way to get people job skills and life skills that can really benefit them in future employment," she said. Spectrum Northants has two centres in Northampton and works with more 90 adults with special needs and 2017 it has run a charity shop to give its service users retail experience, and ran a pop-up cafe in March it opened the cafe on its Berrywood Road chief executive Mark Mitchell said through the cafe they "get to build their confidence and their important building blocks for actually progressing and getting the best quality of life". He said: "We have a number of individuals who would like to progress, be that into other learning, into volunteering or employment and the venue like this builds their skills."They get to meet members of the public, engage with members of the public."They get to build their confidence and their important building blocks for actually progressing and getting the best quality of life." Victoria is one of those who works in the cafe and she "likes coming here".She said: "I like working on the till and meeting all the customers... making the drinks and just meeting everyone and seeing everyone."I love working in a cafe."She said the work had given her the "independence to speak to people and I've built up my confidence". Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Powys County Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Social care leaders warn of tough times without ‘significant new funding'
The coming months for people needing social care are likely to be 'the most difficult we've seen in recent years' unless significant new funding is announced soon, almost 100 leaders in the sector have warned. Next month's spending review is a 'crucial opportunity' for the Government to show its commitment to the future of adult social care, the leaders said in a statement to the Chancellor. Rachel Reeves will deliver her review, setting out plans for spending and key public sector reforms, on June 11. The call comes just weeks after the formal launch of the Casey Commission, which the Government ordered with an aim of transforming social care. The first phase of the review, led by Baroness Casey, is expected to report next year, although recommendations from the initial probe will be implemented in phases over the course of 10 years. Social care leaders have already raised concerns over the potential timeline of 2036 for some reforms to be introduced. The second phase of the commission, setting out longer-term reforms, is due to report by 2028. A statement to Ms Reeves, published on Thursday, has been signed by dozens of sector leaders, including the Local Government Association, which represents councils providing care, as well as Mencap, Carers UK and the Homecare Association. In it, they said: 'Despite the best efforts of councils, care providers, the voluntary sector and the workforce, we all know that adult social care is not operating at its best. 'People who have cause to draw on support know that best of all. Report after report shows the consequences of under-investment over many years – on people, families, communities, businesses and other public services.' Referencing the Casey Commission, they said, 'resolving the long-term requires stability in the short-term and strong foundations from which to take forward meaningful reform'. They said while previous governments have sought savings and efficiencies to help plug immediate gaps, 'the scope for those is now extremely limited and the clear reality is that current funding levels are insufficient to tackle the challenges facing the sector, such as inflation, demography, workforce recruitment and retention, the inability to invest in prevention, and provider instability'. They added: 'Without significant new funding in the spending review, the coming months will likely be the most difficult we've seen in recent years for all parts of the sector and – most important of all – for people who draw on care and support.' Recently published analysis by the Health Foundation think tank suggested a minimum of £3.4 billion will be required to meet the growing need for social care by 2028/29 to avoid a further deterioration in the sector. The think tank also called on the Government to 'signal its commitment' ahead of the upcoming spending review with a 'down payment on the investment needed for reform'.
The Herald Scotland
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Social care leaders warn of tough times without ‘significant new funding'
Rachel Reeves will deliver her review, setting out plans for spending and key public sector reforms, on June 11. The call comes just weeks after the formal launch of the Casey Commission, which the Government ordered with an aim of transforming social care. The first phase of the review, led by Baroness Casey, is expected to report next year, although recommendations from the initial probe will be implemented in phases over the course of 10 years. Social care leaders have already raised concerns over the potential timeline of 2036 for some reforms to be introduced. The second phase of the commission, setting out longer-term reforms, is due to report by 2028. A statement to Ms Reeves, published on Thursday, has been signed by dozens of sector leaders, including the Local Government Association, which represents councils providing care, as well as Mencap, Carers UK and the Homecare Association. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver her spending review in June (Hannah McKay/PA) In it, they said: 'Despite the best efforts of councils, care providers, the voluntary sector and the workforce, we all know that adult social care is not operating at its best. 'People who have cause to draw on support know that best of all. Report after report shows the consequences of under-investment over many years – on people, families, communities, businesses and other public services.' Referencing the Casey Commission, they said, 'resolving the long-term requires stability in the short-term and strong foundations from which to take forward meaningful reform'. They said while previous governments have sought savings and efficiencies to help plug immediate gaps, 'the scope for those is now extremely limited and the clear reality is that current funding levels are insufficient to tackle the challenges facing the sector, such as inflation, demography, workforce recruitment and retention, the inability to invest in prevention, and provider instability'. They added: 'Without significant new funding in the spending review, the coming months will likely be the most difficult we've seen in recent years for all parts of the sector and – most important of all – for people who draw on care and support.' Recently published analysis by the Health Foundation think tank suggested a minimum of £3.4 billion will be required to meet the growing need for social care by 2028/29 to avoid a further deterioration in the sector. The think tank also called on the Government to 'signal its commitment' ahead of the upcoming spending review with a 'down payment on the investment needed for reform'.
