West Berkshire Mencap gets beacon status

West Berkshire Mencap’s Gateway Club, which is run from its headquarters in Enborne Road, Newbury, is one of only nine groups to become a beacon in the three year project across England and Northern Ireland.
There are more than 600 gateway clubs in the country offering leisure and sporting activities for those with learning difficulties, but the Newbury club will become an example of good practice from which a larger national network of clubs will be built around.
In the first year of the scheme West Berkshire Mencap aims to open more gateway clubs in the district.
Chief executive officer of West Berkshire Mencap, Leila Ferguson said: “People with a learning disability are more likely to have poor health and are less likely to participate in social activities. Gateway clubs mean people with a learning disability can enjoy a social life, pursue hobbies and stay fit and healthy.
“The gateway beacon project will take the best examples of these clubs and others in the area to reach the same standards. West Berkshire Mencap Gateway Club has a particularly good track record of helping people with learning disabilities to get involved their local community and we’re excited that they will now be able to support other clubs to follow in their footsteps.”