News

Following a fantastic Summer filled with days on the coast and plenty of work behind the scenes, we are returning with a jam-packed Autumn newsletter to welcome you into the new season.

Our Summer Review

Beach Days in 2025

From Southend-on-Sea to Bognor Regis, over 120 people joined us this Summer on 6 different days out on the coast. Join our clubs to hear about our 2026 excursions and tag along for shopping, fish and chips and a healthy dose of fresh air! Huge thanks to all the members and volunteers who made these trips so much fun!

Day at the Horniman Museum

To keep with our new Summer tradition, we visited the fabulous gardens of the Horniman Museum, and we had the opportunity to explore the Aquarium, the Butterfly House and everything else the museum has to offer. 25 people participated on this day, including our neighbours from the Leemore Day Centre, young students and their teachers.

A co-production exercise

In the run-up to our merger with Bromley Mencap, we’ve been hosting several guests during our clubs. This Summer, Perdie, co-production lead at Bromley Mencap, joined our Thursday Club and compiled a list of fresh ideas as a result of an informal co-production exercise involving our members. Imagination and potential are abound, and we are thrilled about the future!

Electric toothbrushes for members

Our members’ health is one of our utmost priorities. Meeting our community each week enables us to recognise and identify new needs amongst our groups. As a result, we secured 100 electric toothbrushes and distributed these to those who displayed the highest need. To complement this initiative, we are hosting a series of oral health and hygiene workshops in the next months. Scroll down for more information.

Our second walk with CareDogs

We’ve loved meeting up with the CareDogs volunteers in September! Often, a walk through the park at the end of a long day is just what we need. Huge thanks to the volunteers and their friendly dogs for encouraging us to walk more!

Turning Point at Monday Club

We are very excited about our new monthly accessible yoga classes running at Thursday Club.

Claire, our yoga teacher, led the first class back in September for over 20 members, carers and volunteers. The session left us feeling joyful and more relaxed.

The next dates are listed in the flyer attached. 👈

Connecting with Resources for Autism

We welcome autistic people at our clubs and have worked to support the community over the years.

We have enjoyed connecting with Resources for Autism, who run the Lewisham Autism Hub and offer social events, services and free training. Take a look at their work and join their new monthly social group for Autistic Adults.

Coming up this quarter

We have a full programme ready for you this season. We hope you will join us!

Read more about our guest workshops below.

A list of all the dates is attached. 👈

Communication and Consent with Turning Point

Turning Point are back with a more in-depth workshop at Thursday Club on the 9th of October. They will be talking about Communication and Consent in relationships.

The final three drama workshops of the year

There are only three workshops left in this year’s programme. Don’t miss out on the fun and join us on the 8th October, 12th November and 10th December.

NHS Oral Health Workshops

Keen to take even better care of your teeth? Or maybe you have an electric toothbrush and would like to learn the correct brushing technique?

Come along on Thursday, the 16th of October at the Leemore Centre. Marcia, Senior Oral Health Promoter will be joining us from 4pm.

Thursday Club entry fee

The entry fee at Thursday Club is now £1. This includes your tea and treats!

Halloween 2026

Have you got your spooky costume ready? Join our Saturday Halloween Party on the 25th of October at the Leemore Centre.

If you can’t make it, you can enjoy the Halloween theme at our social clubs throughout the end of October. Dressing up is always welcome!

Save the dates: AGM & Christmas

Our 2026 Annual General Meeting will be taking place on Thursday, the 27th of November, at the Leemore Centre from 5pm.

Our Christmas Party programme has also been confirmed and we look forward to dancing with you on the Monday the 15th, Tuesday the 16th and Thursday the 18th of December!

Save the dates: AGM & Christmas

Martin from Lewisham Council is returning to Lewisham Mencap this November for Safeguarding training session for our volunteers. This will mark National Safeguarding Week at Lewisham Mencap and we are looking forward to it.

Social Activities for Adults with Learning Disabilities in Lewisham

Lewisham Mencap, in collaboration with Michael Stuart and Community Connections Lewisham, are also bringing you a new collection of resources. From dance classes and museum visits to theatre shows, trying new things is guaranteed to uplift your mood and expand your imagination! Click here to download the PDF document.

We hope you find some of the information above useful. Get in touch with us if you wish to join our mailing list, of if you’d like to share any relevant information with our community.

To stay up to date with our work at Lewisham Mencap, bookmark this link Special Events Timetable and get in touch directly if you have any questions!

If you’re keen to take part or volunteer at these events, email info@lewishammencap.org.uk or ring 07932 02317!