How we can help
Carlisle Mencap has a vision where everyone with a learning disability has an equal right to choice, opportunity and respect, with the support they need.
We provide many different services including children's activities, children's short breaks, adult and children's community services which include outreach support and supported living, adult short breaks at California House, adult leisure activities and holidays, a rights and advice service, Cumbria autism family support project and we have 2 shops one in Carlisle City Centre and one on Botchergate which are run by our clients supported by a small staff team and volunteers.
We offer person centred support for people with learning disabilities of any age and have a highly trained and experienced staff team who work across all of our services.
We take referrals from individuals, carers or professionals.

Children and young people
We can provide support for children of any age and for any length of time. We take referals from families, social workers or from other professionals and can accept payments from direct payments or contracts with the social work teams. We run clubs and activities throughout the year and do extra playschemes in school holidays. We can also provide overnight respite at the Grace Little Centre- a fully accessible building which has a sensory and soft play room as well as an outdoor play area, IT equipment, activity room and games consoles in the living room.
Clubs and Activities
We offer a wide range of clubs and activities for young people with learning disabilities in the Carlisle and Allerdale areas both in term time and in the school holidays.
Community support
Carlisle Mencap provide outreach support in the community for Children with learning disabilities to do a variety of different activities and support them to be as independent as possible.
Short breaks at Grace Little Centre
One of the most important ways to help families with profoundly disabled young people is to provide short breaks away from the family home for the young person.
Adults
We provide support to adults with learning disabilities in the local community in a number of ways, we provide outreach support in the community or people's homes, short breaks at California House, days out and activities with Carlilse Active, holidays and supported living services. We have a highly trained and experienced staff team who work across all of our services and provide person centred support to individuals.
The Independence Studio
The Independence Studio is an art and animation studio that is ran by Carlisle Mencap. Very talented adults with a learning disability create short animated films on important topics to help educate others in a way that is accessible to everyone.
Carlisle Active Activities
Carlisle Active are a group of adults with learning disabilities who meet once a month supported by volunteers to enjoy activities such as walking and day trips out as well as a holiday once a year.
Supported Living
Carlisle Mencap currently provide support for 4 young women to live in their own tenancies in Carlisle. They have 24 hour support and their families are closely involved with the services.
Community support
Carlisle Mencap provide outreach support in the community for Adults with learning disabilities to do a variety of different activities and support them to be as independent as possible.
Short Breaks at California House
California House is short break respite home for adults with learning disabilities. The people who stay in the house are referred to as guests and are treated as such.
Parents and Carers
We believe in providing person centred support to people with learning disabiliites and their families and we have some services which are made to help families in particular. We have support workers available to help with issues around diagnosis of Autism and learning about an autistic child through one to one work and workshops, a rights and advice worker who has many years of experience working with people with learning disabilities and can offer one to one advice around many issues for example housing, benefits or educaiton. We have also put together a few useful links which might help families.
Cumbria Autism Family Support Project
The Cumbria Autism Family Support Project provide advice and support to families with Autistic children aged up to 18 throughout the county.
Helpful links
One of the ways we help families with to provide information and useful contact numbers or websites.
Rights and advice
A joint project between Carlisle and Eden Mencap to provide advice and information about everyday matters.
Help us support people like Sam and Caroline Read the story
Two best friends living together with support from Carlisle Mencap to be independent in their own home.
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