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.

Holidays

Each year we provide 3 holidays for adults with learning disabilities so they can enjoy a holiday away with friends. These are staffed by volunteers and organised by Angela Beale one of our team leaders.

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.