East Kent Mencap

04/09/2026

A huge thank you to Steve James for his incredibly kind donation of musical equipment to our charity. 🎸

Steve told us: "I see you advertising on Facebook and looked you up and thought it would be a great place to donate the guitars that I no longer use. Music is a healer, so it is great for everyone."

We couldn't agree more. Music has the power to bring people together, lift spirits and support wellbeing, and we're so grateful that these instruments will now help others in our community.

03/09/2026

We've had a wonderful summer at East Kent Mencap ✨

02/09/2026

We’re opening a new East Kent Mencap hub in Ashford, and we’d love local businesses and organisations to come and see it!

Join us for our Networking & Hub Showcase on Friday 25 September, 10am-12pm at Kennington Parish Room.

It’s a chance to meet other local businesses, make new connections, promote what you do and find out more about East Kent Mencap and our work supporting people with a learning disability.

We’ll be serving a light brunch after the networking, and you’re welcome to stay, explore the new hub and meet our team.

Friday 25 September | 10am-12pm
📍 Kennington Parish Room, 42 Upper Vicarage Rd, Ashford, TN24 9AH

Interested in coming along? Email [email protected] to let us know.

Please share with any Ashford businesses or organisations who might like to join us! 🩷

31/08/2026

There are around 38,000 people with a learning disability living in Kent.

At East Kent Mencap, we support people to develop skills, build confidence, make friends and live more independently in their communities. As our services continue to grow, your support can help us create even more opportunities for people with a learning disability. 🩷

There are lots of ways to get involved. You could take on a local run, walk or cycling challenge, organise your own fundraiser, or simply make a donation.

Every contribution helps us continue our work across East Kent.

Find out more about fundraising for East Kent Mencap: www.eastkentmencap.co.uk/fundraise

Or, if you have an idea or any questions, we'd love to hear from you. Email [email protected].

28/08/2026

Take a look at some of the beautiful nature photography captured by members during our Ramsgate hub photography sessions 🩷

From butterflies and bees to birds and bears, members have been developing their photography skills and capturing some brilliant shots of wildlife along the way.

26/08/2026

We’re opening the doors to our new Ashford hub, and you’re invited! 🩷

Join us on Saturday 19 September, 10am-2pm at Kennington Parish Room to explore the new hub, meet the East Kent Mencap team and find out what’s on offer.

There will be activities throughout the day, light refreshments, a raffle and a donation station. At 11am, the Mayor of Ashford will join us for a special welcome to officially celebrate the opening.

Whether you’re interested in joining the hub, support someone with a learning disability or simply live locally and would like to have a look around, we’d love to see you.

📍 Kennington Parish Room, 42 Upper Vicarage Rd, Ashford, TN24 9AH

Find out more about our hub: www.eastkentmencap.co.uk/hubs/ashford-hub

25/08/2026

Thank you so much to Community Champion- Herne Bay Morrisons for their generous donation of rolls and onions for our Herne Bay hub summer BBQ! 🩷

Your continued support is hugely appreciated by everyone at East Kent Mencap, so we want to say a big THANK YOU!

🧅🍔🧅🍔🧅🍔🧅🍔🧅🍔🧅

A donation of rolls & onions went out this morning to East Kent Mencap Herne Bay hub for their BBQ. Hope you a had fun 😁

21/08/2026

Join our Ashford hub grand opening - Saturday 19 September! ✨
🎨 Activities all day: Explore our new space and try some of the activities on offer.
🤝 Mayor's speech at 11am: Join us for a special welcome from the Mayor of Ashford
☕ Light refreshments: Enjoy light snacks, non-alcoholic fizz, soft and hot drinks.
🩷 Donations station: If you'd like to donate anything we can use in our hubs, such as craft supplies, we'd be so grateful.
🎟️ Raffle: Try your luck and support our new hub!

When? Saturday 19 September, 10am - 2pm

Where? East Kent Mencap Ashford hub, Kennington Parish Room, 42 Upper Vicarage Rd, TN24 9AH (https://maps.app.goo.gl/y9PELyDAXcEq9yeG6)

Come along, meet the team and see what’s on offer!

21/08/2026

A message from East Kent Mencap: We are deeply saddened to hear that Bemix has entered financial administration.

East Kent Mencap and Bemix have shared much more than a commitment to supporting people with learning disabilities. We have shared a belief that people with learning disabilities should have a genuine voice, be able to shape the services and communities around them, and have the opportunity to lead, contribute and achieve their ambitions.

Over the years, our organisations have worked alongside each other on a number of important projects and initiatives including Bemix Be A Leader, co-production and work to improve the experiences of people with learning disabilities across health and wider public services.

These projects demonstrated what can be achieved when organisations with shared values work together, combining their different strengths, expertise and relationships.

We are particularly sad for the people who use Bemix services, its employees, volunteers and everyone who has contributed to the organisation and its work over many years.

East Kent Mencap is proud of the work we have shared with Bemix and grateful for the contribution Bemix has made to the lives of people with learning disabilities across Kent.

Our thoughts are with everyone connected with Bemix at what is undoubtedly an incredibly difficult time.

19/08/2026

Just a few weeks before the next charity dance for East Kent Mencap on 6th September at "The Centre" in Birchington. We have a few tickets remaining that must be pre-booked (limited numbers) - to book, email or message us to reserve your space.