Mencap Round the World Challenge image

In January 2021 Community Links Bromley (CLB) led a bid alongside Bromley Mencap, MyTime Active and Palace for Life Foundation to apply for funding from Royal Mencap to take part in the Round the World Challenge. The Round the World Challenge supports people with a learning disability to get outside and get active in a way that is flexible, fun, and empowering.

Round the World Challenge is about turning hours of fun sporting and physical activities into a round-the-world adventure. Each hour of activity logged by the individual moves them closer to their next destination, on their way to complete their route which can be around the UK, Europe of the World. Individuals will receive a postcard from a different location as the number of hours of activity they do takes them around their chosen route.

CLB was successful in securing funding to run a programme for 12 months. We began with an online launch event in March and delivered two taster sessions in April where coaches demonstrated football, dance and keep fit and Tai Chi.

Since then, we have delivered several events online and have just begun to take the activities into outside locations as restrictions ease and the weather improves.

We are now in the process of delivering new events such as ten pin bowling at the Pavilion in Bromley and hopefully football soon.

The events are all currently free to those over 16 with a learning disability.

 

Events this month

We post upcoming activities on social media and on our events page so please follow us on keep an eye on the website for updates: Events Training - Community Links Bromley.

Round the World Challenge participants can now register for the exciting Mytime Active Club for adults with learning disabilities and autism. This club is for YOU and is called MyClub.

To Register for MyClub, visit www.mytimactive.co.uk/myclubadults or email myclub@mytimeactive.co.uk.

 

Watch the video below for a taste of some of the latest activities which took place as part of this challenge!

 

Celebration Event

We had a great night on Friday 19th November at The Crofton Halls, Orpington for the celebration event of Bromley's edition of the Mencap Round the World Challenge. It was lovely to see so many of the participants, carers, coaches and instructors at the gathering on Friday evening. Activities took place so that participants could add even more miles. Also, participants each received their awards and certificates for the virtual trips they had made around the UK, Europe, and the World. Since the programme began in May, 92 individuals have taken part, accruing over 1,100 hours of activity.

Thanks to everyone who came to make the evening such a success. Special mentions to Bromley MyTime Active, Bromley Mencap and Tai Chi Simplicity who were on hand to provide support. If you are someone or know someone with a learning disability, why not sign up. It would be great to see you. We still have four months of the programme to run, with lots more fun filled activities and it's not too late to join.

 

'Mentoring in Community Settings' training course

Mencap are pleased to be able to offer organisations we work with an exciting free training opportunity in partnership with StreetGames and Developing Youth Practice. The course is entitled ‘Mentoring in Community Settings’ and will focus on providing knowledge, skills and tips on how best to include people with a learning disability in leadership or coaching roles within your organisation. The course is suitable for staff/volunteers/coaches who support people with a learning disability.

The course will cover topics such as: building rapport, behaviour management, positive communication and putting all of these skills and techniques into practice. Further information about the course can be found in the programme outline here.

The course will take place online via Zoom, with 9 sessions spaced out over 8 weeks, between November 2022 and January 2023. Please see below the course dates:

  • Session 1 – Monday 21st November 10-11.30am
  • Session 2 - Monday 21st November 1-2.30pm
  • Session 3 - Tuesday 22nd November 10-11.30am
  • Session 4 - Tuesday 22nd November 1-2.30pm
  • Session 5 - Wednesday 23rd November 10-11.30am
  • Session 6 - Wednesday 23rd November 1-2.30pm
  • Session 7 – Monday 5th December 10-11.30am or 1-2.30pm
  • Session 8 – Friday 16th December 10-11.30am or 1-2.30pm
  • Session 9 Evaluation – Monday 16th January 10-11.30am

There will be 20 spaces available on a first come first served basis and attendance will be required at all sessions.  

This is a fantastic opportunity for the organisations we work with as the course is extremely well regarded. The skills learnt will go a long way to ensuring people with a learning disability have the best experience when volunteering or coaching within your organisations.

To book on to the course or if you have any questions, please email Faye.Dixey@mencap.org.uk and further information will be sent.