What's on?

We are hosting an 'Around the World' Dinner, on 4th Feb at West Herts College, Watford. 6.15pm-9pm 5 courses from around the world will be prepared by West Herts College Students £30.00 per head. To book, please email Jstephens@watfordmencap.org.uk

We’re kicking off 2026 in style with an inclusive, feel-good night out for adults with learning disabilities 💃🕺 Expect music, dancing, disco vibes and plenty of sparkle as we celebrate the new year together. 🕕 6.30–9.30pm 📅 23rd January 2026 💷 £15 entry 👥 Carers go free 🔞 18+ (ID required) Book your place now 👉 www.mencapclubnight.club Let’s dance into the new year together!

We’re recruiting! Do you have experience working with children and young people with learning disabilities or additional needs? Are you caring, patient and passionate about creating inclusive, meaningful activities? We’re looking for a Children & Young People Activity Leader to help plan and deliver engaging sessions that support independence, confidence and joy. ✨ £25,876.50 per year / £13.27 per hour ✨ 37.5 hours per week (including evenings & weekends) ✨ Based at our Community Hub in Watford You’ll lead sessions, support a brilliant team, and make a real difference to children and families across our community. 📞 Call Kelsey on 07788 543 157 for an informal chat 🔗 Or apply online: www.watfordmencap.org.uk/vacancies Please share or tag someone who’d be perfect for this role 👇 #WatfordJobs #CharityJobs #SENDCareers #InclusiveWork #WatfordMencap

Watford will once again be flipping pancakes for a good cause as the Watford Pancake Race returns on Tuesday 17th February 2026, bringing businesses, families and the wider community together in the heart of the town. Event starts at 2pm at The Parade, Watford, the much-loved event is being organised by Watford Mencap in partnership with @watfordtowncentre, @watfordthreeriverstrust and @watfordcouncil The race will feature a mix of business relay races, accessible races, and children’s races, ensuring the event is welcoming and inclusive for everyone. All participants will receive a medal. Event highlights include: Business relay races (teams of four, pre-registration required) Accessible race, £3 to enter with carers attending free of charge (pre-registration required) Children’s races (under 10s and 10–14s) - £3 to enter (pre-registration required) A special appearance from Harry the Hornet Post-race refreshments at the Café in the Library Pancakes will be kindly provided by West Herts College, and the event is proudly sponsored by Everyone Active. Businesses already showing their support include EMW Law, Watford Borough Council teams, and interest from Watford FC Academy and Everyone Active teams. Entry details: Business teams: £100 per team of four All funds raised will support Watford Mencap’s work with children and adults with learning disabilities and their families across the local area, as well as Watford Community Trust. To sign up, click the link in bio.

Help us improve our website! 💻 We want to hear from you. If you use our website, support someone who does, or just want to help make it clearer and more accessible, come along and tell us what you think. 🗓 Monday 19th January ⏰ 2pm–3pm 📍 92a Langley Road, Watford, WD17 4PJ 📞 Call 01923 713620 to book a place 📧 or email rmurray@watfordmencap.org.uk Your feedback will help us make sure our website works better for everyone 💙

This week, our fundraising team held their meeting at the Café in the Library, a welcoming, inclusive space right in the heart of the Watford community. It’s a great example of how local venues can be used for meetings while supporting social impact at the same time. By choosing community cafés and inclusive spaces, businesses can make a real difference with something as simple as where they meet. We’d love to see more Watford businesses doing the same, hosting meetings locally, supporting inclusive employment, and helping community spaces thrive. Come find us in Watford Central Library💛 #WatfordBusiness #CommunityMatters #InclusiveEmployment #LocalImpact #Fundraising #MeetLocal

Doing a New Year clean-out? Don’t let those unwanted items go to waste 💛 By donating to the Watford Mencap charity shop, you’re giving your pre-loved clothes, books and homewares a second life, and helping support people with learning disabilities in our local community. Every donation makes a real difference, funding vital services while reducing waste. It’s a simple way to start the year with kindness (and a clearer wardrobe!). 🛍️ Drop off your donations at the Watford Mencap charity shop in Bushey, between 9.30am–4.30pm, Mondays–Fridays, and on Saturdays, 9.30am-4.00pm. ♻️ Feel good knowing you’re helping people and the planet Thank you for supporting your local community this New Year 💙 Note: Please do not leave items outside of these hours.

We’re pleased to share that @hertscc will be joining our coffee morning on Friday 16 January, 10am–12pm. This is a relaxed, informal chance to: 💬 Ask questions about the Learning Disability Big Plan 🗣️ Share your thoughts and experiences ☕ Chat over a coffee in a friendly space The Learning Disability Big Plan will help improve: • Education • Social care • Health services • Community support It’s designed to make sure children, young people and adults with learning disabilities get the support they need across Hertfordshire. You don’t need to prepare anything, just come along and have a chat. We’d love to see people with learning disabilities, families and carers there. 📍 92a Langley Road, Watford 📝 There is also an online survey open until 6 February if you’d like to share your views that way: Learning Disability Big Plan | Hertfordshire County Council Everyone is welcome. Please spread the word! #TheLearningDisabilityBigPlan #WatfordMencap #CoffeeMorning

Need a bit of help or advice? We’re here for you! Whether you’ve got a question, need some guidance, or just want to chat things through, our friendly advice team is here to support you with information, referrals, signposting and more. We support people with learning disabilities and their families/carers across South West Hertfordshire. Just give us a call or drop us an email to book a chat with one of our qualified and experienced team members. 📞 01923 713620 📧 advice@watfordmencap.org.uk #WatfordMencap #Advice #Support