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Happy New Year from Croydon Mencap!
Thank you everyone that has emailed to say you would like to receive all our news, events and campaigns, including our newsletter and disco information, in one email.
This email has links to our new Active Lives brochure, and details of events for adults with a learning disability and for carers. It also has information about Gig Buddies Croydon, who currently have volunteers available and just waiting to be matched with someone!
We are also looking for new trustees and there is more information about that at the end of the email.
You can stop receiving our emails at any time by clicking on 'unsubscribe' at the bottom of our emails.
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For adults with a learning disability...
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Monday Night Social Club
Monday Night Social Club starts again on Monday 20th January.
It has moved to a new home for the new year!
The club will now be in the New Addington Community and Leisure Centre.
The new centre is next door to the old centre.
The full address of the new centre is:
New Addington Leisure & Community Centre
88 Central Parade
New Addington
CROYDON
CR0 0JB
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Active Lives is a fantastic new project from Croydon Mencap that offers fun things to do in the evenings or at weekends, such as cinema trips, bowling, art workshops and day trips.
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Pool Competition - Saturday 25th January
Night for adults with learning disabilities at Frames Sports Bar in Coulsdon, (202 Brighton Road, CR5 2NF), on Saturday 25th January at 7pm.
This is a proper Stay Up Late – NO BEDTIMES event, so please tell your friends and all the people you support as it is really important that we support Fifi, Janine and Alannah from CMG as they work hard to provide an opportunity for everyone to have a great night out in a popular community-based venue.
Tickets are now ONLY £3 and should be bought in advance from Fifi on 020 8651 9670 or from Janine.Hyland@cmg.co.uk or Alannah.farr@cmg.co.uk
‘Frames’ is easily accessible as it is on the number 60 bus route and it’s only a few minutes’ walk from Coulsdon Town station.
When Super Sedley Wilson, Chairman of Croydon People First, ‘Mr Leisure Link’ and all-round Croydon Legend went to one of the Pool Competitions at Frames, he said he had a great night with friendly people in an exciting venue. So, please, spread the word and get down to Frames for what’s sure to be a fantastic night…
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Soda Beat - Monday 27th January
Club Soda presents Soda Beat. A Live Music night run by people with learning disabilities
Featuring
Zombie Crash
System Experience
The Carbonators
Transient Visitors
+ guests
Date: 27/01/2020
Time: 7 pm - 10 pm
Place: Fairfield Halls Park Lane CR9 1DG
Tickets £5 on the door (support workers free but contributions welcome) Open to everyone 14+
www.clubsoda.org.uk
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Gig Buddies Croydon
Do you like going out, gigs, and making friends?
Gig Buddies matches adults with and without learning disabilities who love the same things, to form friendships and go to events together!
Gig Buddies is for people who want to go out, enjoy themselves and meet new people!
Gig Buddies pairs people with and without learning disabilities to go to events together.
It's about everybody being able to live their lives the way they want to!
You will share your hobbies and interests with your buddy and go to events that you both love.
You will become part of a growing community of people who are shaking things up and Staying Up Late nationwide!
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For carers of a person with a learning disability...
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Monday 20th January
Our first CASS event for 2020 is Coffee, Cake & Chat
from 11 am to 1 pm at
Portland House 678 London Road Thornton Heath CR7 7HU
Please let us know if you're coming: 020 8684 5890
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Sharing on behalf of the Carers Information Service
Are you one of Croydon's Carers?
The Carers Centre are asking carers to test a new app - Agylia Care. It has guides and videos on topics including Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, stroke, autism, mental health, learning disabilities and children’s care. Agylia Care provides information and tips to help people care and support themselves, family or friends. Download from your app store on your phone and let Amy know what you think of it - email amydeakin@carersinfo.org.uk
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Croydon Mencap are advertising for new Trustees, both Ordinary Members and a Treasurer, to join our Board.
For more information and an application pack, please contact Jo at jo@croydonmencap.org.uk
Introduction
Croydon Mencap represents the interests of people with learning disabilities, their families and carers within the London Borough of Croydon. See http://www.croydonmencap.org.uk for more information about the charity.
We are a charitable voluntary organisation and registered charity with our own Board of voluntary Trustees/Directors. Croydon Mencap’s purpose is to provide advice, information and support through a range of projects and services. Croydon Mencap is affiliated to Royal Mencap but is not financially supported or governed by its National body.
As a trustee you will be able to use your skills and experience and have a direct influence over a cause you care about. It is a rewarding role, but there are responsibilities meaning you will need to give up enough time to help your charity succeed
Being a Trustee of a Charity means you are there to look after the charity’s work and ensure that it uses its money and resources properly, and that it is managed effectively through the paid staff. Trustees are also Company Directors as Croydon Mencap is registered as a company limited by guarantee.
As Treasurer you will also have specific duties related to the oversight and management of the Charity’s finances, providing direction and operational support to the paid staff.
The Board of Trustees meets on average 4 times a year and everyone is also expected to attend the Annual General Meeting and an annual ‘Away Day’. Trustees may also be involved in short term specific interest task groups. If necessary, training is made available where needed e.g. to raise greater awareness to the needs of people with learning disabilities or carers’ issues.
Initially the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer will interview applicants and Trustees can be co-opted throughout the year by the Board. A number of checks are carried out prior to appointment, including a declaration that the potential trustee is not disqualified from standing.
Once you have expressed an interest in joining the Croydon Mencap Board of Trustees the Chief Executive Officer or the Chairman will contact you and invite you for a meeting. Alternatively to find out more before you apply please call 020 8684 5890, email chair@croydonmencap.org.uk or visit our website www.croydonmencap.org.uk
Responsibilities
Trustees accept ultimate responsibility for everything that Croydon Mencap does. Collectively the trustees are responsible for the vision, mission and management of the organisation and will be held accountable if things go wrong.
They can delegate some tasks as the governing document allows but ultimate responsibility remains with trustees. At its simplest, the role of the trustee board is to receive assets from donors, safeguard them and apply them to the charitable purposes of Croydon Mencap. The trustee board must always act in the best interests of the organisation, exercising the same standard of duty of care that a prudent person would apply if looking after the affairs of someone for whom they have responsibility. The trustee board must act as a group and not as individuals.
Duties – all Trustees
Treasurer: Description of the Role and Person Specification
- Ensure that Croydon Mencap complies with its governing document (its Memorandum and Articles of Association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
- Ensure that Croydon Mencap pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
- Ensure Croydon Mencap applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objectives.
- Safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.
- Ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
- Protect and manage the property Croydon Mencap and ensure the proper investment of its funds.
- Appoint the Chief Executive Officer and monitor their performance.
- Sit on appraisal, recruitment and disciplinary panels as required.
In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve leading discussions, identifying key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, and evaluating or offering advice on other areas in which the trustee has particular expertise or setting targets and evaluation performance against agreed targets.
Additional duties – Treasurer
- Oversee, approve and present budgets, accounts and financial statements
- Gain assurance that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs; advise on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic plans
- Ensure that the charity has an appropriate reserves policy
- Prepare and present financial reports to the board
- Ensure that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place
- Liaise with any paid staff and volunteers about financial matters
- Ensure that the charity has an appropriate investment policy and that there is no conflict between any investment held and the aims and objects of the charity
- Monitor the organisation’s investment activity and ensure it is consistent with the organisation’s policies and legal responsibilities
- Ensure that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by funders and the relevant statutory bodies, for example the Charity Commission and/or the Registrar of Companies
- If external scrutiny of accounts is required, ensure that the accounts are scrutinised in the manner required (independent examination or audit) and any recommendations are implemented
- Keep the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities
- Contribute to the fundraising strategy of the organisation
- Make a formal presentation of the accounts at the annual general meeting and drawing attention to important points in a coherent and easily understandable way
Minimum Time Commitment
- Trustees are expected to attend all trustee meetings. These are held during a weekday evening. The meetings last approximately two and a half hours and are usually held at Leslie Park.
- Papers are distributed no later than one week in advance of meetings.
- Trustees are invited to the annual general meeting (AGM) of Croydon Mencap which takes place during a weekday, usually in November.
Person Specification
Each trustee must have:
- a commitment to the mission of Croydon Mencap
- a willingness to meet the minimum time requirement
- integrity
- strategic vision
- good, independent judgement
- an ability to think creatively
- a willingness to speak their mind
- an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
- an ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good of Croydon Mencap.
A Treasurer must also have:
- Financial qualifications and experience
- Some experience of charity finance, fundraising and pension schemes
- The skills to analyse proposals and examine their financial consequences
- Being prepared to make unpopular recommendations to the board
- A willingness to be available to staff for advice and enquiries on an ad hoc basis
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