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Elsie Murphy, a parent of a 9 year old son with learning disabilities met up with 6 other families to form 'The Association for Parents of Backward Children' (this was the term used for people with learning disabilities in the 1950's, which we would never use today). This group later became what we now know as Mencap Liverpool.
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The parents baby-sat for each other, and by this date, they had raised the money and founded "Orchard Dene" in Rainhill, where thirty of their children could be accommodated for short stays.
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The parents wanted to have somewhere for children aged 3-5 to go so that the parents could have a much-needed break.
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In May 1957, it was decided to devote attention to the provision of a Day Nursery and a Building Fund was set up with this object in view.
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By the end of 1957 they had raised £2,000 which was a lot of money back then, but they needed to raise £20,000 for a building!
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In 1959 they were given permission to use the University's Victoria Settlement in Netherfied for a Special Care Unit. In 1960 they moved into the special care unit.
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The Society was paying the entire cost of running the Special Care Unit, grandfather of Acorn Nursery. Mrs. Plumb was the first matron. When she fell ill, her replacement was one Mrs. Lennon (yes, John Lennon's auntie by marriage).
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The Dorothy Keeling Special Care Unit was opened by The Lady Norman on the 30th November, 1960.
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In October 1962 the Health Authorities so appreciated the work of the Society that they decided to provide transport for all the children, and just in time because the mini-bus was just about worn out.
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A member named Alec McKay, a postman who lived nearby, noticed a disused Methodist Church for sale for £9000. Alec McKay and Jim FitzPatrick (Chairman for 18 years!) almost immediately agreed on it, and by July 1963 it was ours!
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In July 1964 the Special Care Unit moved into the Society's own premises at Mencap House which now provided places for 20 children.
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In 1965, the Heath Department again showed their approval and admiration of our efforts by increasing the grant to 8/5d. per child per day. By the end of 1966, The Bank overdraft on the purchase of Mencap House was cleared and the year ended with a credit balance.
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In 1976 the Society organised a ten week course of evening lectures for parents at the Mabel Fletcher College and it was so popular that it was extended for a further period and became a regular feature in the Educational programme of the College.
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Princess Anne visited Liverpool and children were very excited to see her drive past on Queens Drive outside Mencap House.
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Between 1972 and 1973, a donation of toys from a women's magazine competition was given to Mencap Liverpool. Ken Dodd, a famous comedian, appeared at Mencap House for the magazine 'Woman', who photographed the children.
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In 1973, the LEA took over the new Nursery School and later called it 'Acorn'. This is the beginning of Acorn Nursery.
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Mrs Doyle Lady Mayoress visited The Mencap new building
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Mencap nursery was going strong and the children enjoyed fun nursery activities with staff and families. They also went on a trip to Southport in the summer.
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1994 is the Shopping Scheme's tenth anniversary.
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An encouraging AGM! There had been inprovements to Mencap House and the Shopping Scheme was going well. They unanimously agreed to continue to support families who had came for help.
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Mencap House offered lifestyle programmes over 4 half days per week. The activities included, making music, drama groups, aromatherapy, keeping fit and total relaxation.
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Mencap members came to Mencap House to discuss the eagerly awaited white paper which was a major government strategy for learning disabilities.
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Our legal name had been 'The Liverpool Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and Adults' and a change of our Society's name was debated. The proposal was to shorten it, either to "Liverpool Mencap" or to "Mencap Liverpool". After some debate, a vote was taken and the name "Mencap Liverpool" won.
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Mencap Liverpool's Access to Heritage has been working in Kirkby Gallery to make puddings to compliment the main course for the Installation "Banquet" which was originally created. Banquet was made by professional artists in close consultation with people with learning disabilities to make it as accessible as possible. "The Puddings" have been made by artists with learning disabilites. Both Banquet and Puddings are interactive installations where you can touch everything, smell, listen and see.
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Sarah Jones joins the Mencap Liverpool Team as Chief Executive.
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The Access to Heritage Project is a group of people with learning disabilities from Liverpool who work to help Heritage Venues improve access to interpretation and the "visitor experience" for the benefit of all visitors. Access to Heritage worked with the World Museum to create an enclusive experience through clear symbols and information.
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Laura Higgins, our new outreach co-ordinator and Sophie Robertson our new volunteer co-ordinator, joins the Mencap Liverpool Team.
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Adam Dinsmore and Jen Bose joined through the Vodaphone foundations world of difference programme and are on placement for 11 weeks.
