Royal MENCAP Society/Gateway

MENCAP, 21 Ford Street,
Stockport, SK3 0BT

Tel: 0161 968 9250

Fax: 0161 968 9251

Mencap was set up by parents over 50 years ago, who were fighting for the education of their children. Mencap grew rapidly at grass roots level and now has over 400 local Mencap societies who are affiliated or joined to Royal MENCAP Society. The increasing need for leisure activities led to the formation of local Gateway clubs and there are now over 600 clubs. There are now over 11,000 individual members of Royal MENCAP Society.

Mencap started as a campaigning organisation. It still fights hard to ensure that people with a learning disability get an equal opportunity to live their lives as equal citizens. Mencap tries to raise public awareness and support as well as provide a range of housing, education and employment services. Mencap's leisure arm, Gateway provides a variety of opportunities for personal and social development.

Mencap is now the largest disability charity in the UK with a turnover of £100m a year. We employ 6,000 full and part-time staff. There are also thousands of local society and Gateway club members and volunteers.

MENCAP's VALUES

Mencap believes that people with a learning disability, and their families and carers should have:

	Equal rights and be treated with dignity and respect.
	Access to information and be able to make their own choices and decisions on issues which affect their lives
	Good quality support which meets their individual needs.