About Us
About Us and Our Mission
The Company believes and strives to support people with a learning disability to achieve the following;
Choice
• In the things that they do and who they do it with
• In where they live and who they live with
• Through being fully involved in decisions which affect their life
Opportunity
• To take part in the activities of, and within the community they live in, to break down barriers which •prevent access and inclusion
• To take up education and support which will enable them to meet their needs and achieve their •potential
Respect
• As individuals, to have their thoughts, fears and wishes listened to and not dismissed
• For what they can do and for the contribution they make
• To have their rights met and to challenge discrimination and abuse
Inclusion
• Use of advocates to ensure inclusion in services such as banking, benefits, health services etc.
• Using volunteers and/or advocates for inclusion in social activities
The History
The organisation was formed on October 14th, 1970 under the Chairmanship of Peter Cree. It was then called Grantham & District Society for Mentally Handicapped Children (at a later date "and Adults” was added to include all people with a learning disability).
The new Society had three main aims, to provide:
- Leisure Facilities
- Day Cay Care Service
- Residential Care
The organisation was registered as a Charity and began fundraising immediately as no statutory funding was available.
Timeline
14TH OCTOBER 1970
Inauguration of Grantham and District Society for Mentally Handicapped Children.
Chairman: Peter Cree
Aims: Provision of Day Care Residential Care and Leisure Activities.
No statutory funding was available so intensive fund raising began immediately.
OCTOBER 1971
’71 Gateway Club opened to provide leisure activities for people aged 14 and over. Meeting place - The Brownlow Buildings, Castlegate, Grantham.
JUNIOR GATEWAY 1973
A second group for youngsters aged 8-14 year olds began meeting.
30TH NOVEMBER 1974
Laying of Foundation Stone for Day Centre, by the Earl of Ancaster. Sited on Aire Road, Grantham.
OCTOBER 1975
Opening of the Cree Centre, by the Duke of Devonshire
Activities organised by volunteers to begin with, for groups of over 16 year olds and pre-school.
The first mini-bus was purchased.
1976
Manager and the staff employed to provide five days a week service.
1985
The Mother’s Group formed - lead by Denise Collingwood. Support group for families.
18TH MAY 1985
Fairview Farm Residential Home opened by Lady Jane Willoughby de Eresby
JUNE 1986
The organisation registered as a Limited Company - Grantham and District Mencap LTD.
First bungalow opened in the grounds at Fairview Farm, increasing the number of residents to 15.
Second bungalow opened at Fairview increasing the number of residents to 21.
2001
Millennium Garden at the Cree Centre opened.
Rainbow Logo adopted.
2017 ONWARDS
A new business to be developed - based initially at Fairview Farm - Community Supported Living, Plans currently being drawn up.
A new Post - General Manager - to oversee existing services and lead the development of the new service.
Trustees & Subcommittees
Trustees
President - Margaret Beecham
Chairperson - Judith Burnett
Company Secretary - Ann Stafford
Finance Manager -
Company Management Committee
• Meets quarterly with an Annual General meeting in June with extra-ordinary meetings called if required
• Responsible for all aspects of the Company’s business
• Quality Assurance Sub-Committee report to the Management Committee
Management Meetings
• Meets regularly to discuss issues arising from day to day management
• Information passed on to Staff and Carers within the Organisation
Quality Assurance Subcommittee
• Meets regularly to review policies, receive reports from residents / members meetings, staff and carers.
• Monitor and audit services
• Review transport issues
• Monitor buildings, furniture and fittings
Safeguarding Ambassadors
Across our company we have three safeguarding ambassadors. There is one for each service we provide:
Victoria Cook: Cree Centre
Becky Chantry-Parke: Gateway Club
Simon Davies: Fairview Farm
A Safeguarding Ambassador is a new Workplace Development Programme which is ran by Linca and the Ambassadors attend regular meetings where they have discussions, presentations and regular updates from the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Adults Team.
As ambassadors they promote and make sure our staff are aware across the company of what safeguarding means and how as a team we can ensure that people that use services are safeguarded from abuse or neglect. Ambassadors also make sure that staff have the confidence and knowledge to take action should it be required.
