In just three weeks’ time, fourteen intrepid Oxford Mencap volunteers (Jessie, Dan, Alice, Holly, Jack, Nancy, Omolara, Ed, Imi, George, Lara, Laura, Grace and Charlie) will be taking on the notoriously difficult Three Peaks Challenge! They will be racing the clock to climb the UK’s three highest peaks – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – within 24 hours, and will be climbing both day and night to conquer these summits!

We are raising money for Oxford Mencap, a charity very close to all of our hearts for the amazing work it does in supporting local people with learning disabilities and their families and carers. We are aiming to smash our fundraising target of £2,500, but we really need your help to get there! We would be incredibly grateful if you would please consider sponsoring us to motivate us in our training and to help ensure that Oxford Mencap can continue to support and advocate for people with learning disabilities for many years to come.

To sponsor us, please head to our team JustGiving page: Oxford Mencap’s Three Peaks Challenge! fundraising for Oxford & District Mencap on JustGiving

If you have any questions about our challenge, please email Alice Lowe at lowe_alice@yahoo.co.uk.

Hillend talent show was a huge success, judged by ‘Simon Cowell’. Guests sung, played and danced for an excited audience.

Short sleeved Tee shirts (£12). Long sleeved Tee shirts (£18) and hoodies (£22) in navy (we suggest for guests) and grey (we suggest for volunteers) with the Mencap logo can be ordered in sizes XS S M L and XL. All profits will go to ODM’s Hill End and Wales holidays. If you would like to order one, contact Hannah Woods hannahwoods120@gmail.com.

We will be having a summer tea party at Linacre College (St Cross Rd, Oxford, OX1 3JA), in the gardens (inside if wet), to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of Oxford and District Mencap . All guests, their families or carers, members of the committee and volunteers are all welcome. There will be photographs of Hill End Holidays over the years, music and a special presentation. We hope that many of you will be able to come. To register your interest in going to this event please contact Julia on administrator@oxfordmencap.org.uk

Come to a 3 course dinner at The Jubilee Hall St Andrews Church Oxford (Vegan/Vegetarian option available) and listen to a talk by Dr Nicholas Dunn about John Bankes Charles the seconds Bag Man or fixer. All proceeds will go to Oxford and District Mencap’s Hill End and Wales holidays. Contact Julia on administrator@oxfordmencap.org.ukto get more information and express an interest. Tickets will be available from 2^nd January 2022.

Our beautiful cards have been especially designed by our guests and Shadow Light Artist Richard. Richard has said how he loves art and media and especially the colours and patterns that he can create in his cards and paintings. The cards are named (from left to right), ‘The Christmas Fish’, ‘The Christmas Tree of the Ocean’ and ‘Christmas Tree Magic’. The cards come in packs of ten with envelopes and are £5 per back. All proceeds go to Oxford and District Mencap. To order your Christmas cards, please e mail lowe_alice@yahoo.co.uk.

The Bullingdon Centre has now been demolished and will be rebuilt.

A big thank you to the Scottish Medical Students who took part in a fund raising sports tournament. A special thanks to Izzie Dighero who chose Oxford and District Mencap as one of the charities.

When Coco first came to Hill End she was worried about making friends. Her mother and sister warned her volunteer that Coco was shy and sure enough she spent the early days of her first camp singing songs to herself separate from the camp. However, by the last day Coco had come out of her shell and felt close enough to everyone to organise a concert. Everyone gathered on the grass on the last night, tired from the disco, as Coco serenaded us with the Snowman’s ‘We’re Walking in the Air’. 

We were so happy to hear from Coco’s Mum who said:

‘Coco had a unique opportunity to challenge herself in a safe environment amongst a team of incredibly caring and supportive volunteers.  It was a really positive life changing experience for Coco and our family’.