Find out about how we have worked with some previous notable partners to help children and young people with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
right here in Northern Ireland.
Grand Opera House
The Grand Opera House partnered with Mencap from 2016-18 and participated in a variety of events including the Belfast City Marathon, abseils, tea parties, sky dives, zip lines, fancy dress days, parachute jumps and music nights.
Aine Dolan, Partnership and Development
Manager
A manager is a boss at work. They tell you what you need to do and give you support if you need it.
said:
"The Grand Opera House has raised more than £40,000 for charity since 2009 and we're very excited to be raising money for Mencap.
"We believe Mencap is a truly worthy cause and we are confident our staff and patrons will dig deep to support the
organisation
An organisation are a group of people who work together.
."
Ulster Rugby
Ulster Rugby hosted various fundraising initiatives and special events throughout 2014/15 including a special awards dinner and collections at match nights - raising almost £30,000 for Mencap during the partnership.
Fiona Hampton, Head of Sales and Marketing at Ulster Rugby, said:
"We're exceptionally proud that Ulster Rugby and our supporters have raised such an outstanding amount for Mencap at such a pivotal time, as they build towards the opening of their new centre in Northern Ireland, and we're delighted to have helped lay a part in that journey."
Having a partner like Ulster Rugby was of huge value to Mencap, with every penny raised going towards the new Mencap Centre which has now brought therapeutic care, information and support for children with a learning disability and their families all under one roof.
Ulster have continued to support Mencap in Northern Ireland in various ways over the past few years/
Winemark
Winemark staff from 78 stores across Northern Ireland took on Mencap as their Charity of the Year to raise funds for the Big Step Forward
appeal
To appeal means saying you want someone to think about a decision again.
. Using the partnership to engage with their customers through creative in- store fundraisers such as National Chardonnay Day and their Buy a Square prize draw competition, Winemark raised a fantastic £19,868.
Employees also got involved with their own challenges taking on Ziplines, Abseils and Skydives.
Their fantastic efforts went directly to Mencap’s Big Step Forward Appeal to raise £1.7 million to build, equip and run our new centre, which will provide children and young people with a learning disability with the right support and opportunities to flourish and achieve their potential.
Winemark Marketing Manager Rachael Crawford said Winemark chose Mencap as its charity partner because of its ambitious plans to build the much-needed new centre:
“We are delighted to be supporting Mencap as our Charity Partner of the Year and in particular to raise funds for its Big Step Forward Appeal. The new centre will be a vital asset to young people with a learning disability and their families in Northern Ireland. We are confident that customers will give generously and help us meet our target for the Big Step Forward Appeal.”
Citi Bank
Mencap was chosen as Citi Bank Belfast’s Charity of the Year in 2014 after winning a staff
vote
People vote in an
election
An election is when people choose who should be in charge of something. This could be in charge of a group, an area, or the country. People choose by voting. The person with the most votes wins.
. In elections for
councillors
Councillors are the people who work for the
council
A council is also called a
local authority
A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
(support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. They make important decisions about the area where you live.
or MPs, you vote by putting a cross next to the name of the person you want to choose. In less formal elections, like in a small group, you might vote by putting your hand up. The person with the most votes wins.
.
Staff in Citi Bank chose to raise funds towards Mencap’s Early Intervention nursery service. Citi Employees worked with the Mencap Fundraising team to offer staff a calendar of events- fundraising events in and out of the office; as well as volunteering opportunities and administrative support to secure matched funding.
We also helped to engage staff with monthly motivating stories about the children they were helping; so that Citi Bank’s employees knew where that their fantastic efforts were really making a huge difference. Having set a target of £35,000 at the start of the year, Citi Bank rose to the challenge and surpassed themselves by raising an amazing £72,565.
McKinty & Wright Solicitors
We worked closely with McKinty & Wright Solicitors after being chosen as their charity of the year to create a tailored employee fundraising programme to suit their needs. This included:
- abseiling the Obel Tower
- zip-lining the Lagan River
- running in relay teams for the Belfast City Marathon
- having Big Tea Parties
- holding bake sales
- taking part in dress down days
McKinty & Wright were so impressed with the impact our work makes on the local
community
A community is the people and places in an area.
that our partnership with them was extended for an additional year.
Find out more
If you would like to find out how you can get involved as a corporate partner please contact Seán Conlon, Fundraising Product Lead:
- email sean.conlon@mencap.org.uk
- phone 028 9069 0166