CRN Targeting Under-Served Communities 2023 £10K Grant Award

The £10k award was used to undertake research which explored the needs, wants and aspirations of people with learning disabilities who live in the New Forest and the surrounding areas in Hampshire, England with regard to their access to activities.
New Forest Mencap were keen to evaluate the needs of people with learning disabilities in the New Forest and surrounding area regarding their activities and support. New Forest Mencap wished to better understand the needs, wants and aspirations of people in this under-served community to create evidence-based strategic aims and operational outcomes.

New Forest Mencap are already doing meaningful work meeting needs of people with intellectual disabilities in the New Forest and surrounding areas. They need funding to maintain what they are currently doing before then expanding to consider the unmet needs of people with learning disabilities in the area who are not yet known to New Forest Mencap. The additional (and often unfunded) value New Forest Mencap adds to the lives of people with learning disabilities and their families has been highlighted by this research.
New Forest Mencap provides further activity groups based on the stated desires of the participants in this study.
New and current groups should include a strong element of confidence-building with regard to starting conversations and mixing with others.
Groups which teach skills regarding how to develop and maintain relationships, including with a romantic partner, are needed. A men’s group would also appear to be needed in this area.
New Forest Mencap should continue to offer support regarding daily life problems for both people with intellectual disabilities and parents.