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Our Trustees
The board of Saffron Walden Mencap is made up of a committee of dedicated trustees, without whom our positive work would not be possible.
Below you will find a little bit about each of them.
Patrick Draper - Chair
Patrick has been Chair of Saffron Walden Mencap Society since 2014.
He has 36 years in primary education. Before retiring in 2009 he had been headteacher of a local fully inclusive maintained primary school for 15 years.
The experience gained over many years led him to becoming a Trustee of Grove Cottage in Bishop Stortford and volunteering for IPSEA giving advice to parents of children with additional needs about educational provision.
As Chair of Saffron Walden Mencap Society, Patrick was instrumental in setting up the Side by Side club whilst ensuring continued support for all our existing groups.
Patrick has been Chair of Saffron Walden Mencap Society since 2014.
He has 36 years in primary education. Before retiring in 2009 he had been headteacher of a local fully inclusive maintained primary school for 15 years.
The experience gained over many years led him to becoming a Trustee of Grove Cottage in Bishop Stortford and volunteering for IPSEA giving advice to parents of children with additional needs about educational provision.
As Chair of Saffron Walden Mencap Society, Patrick was instrumental in setting up the Side by Side club whilst ensuring continued support for all our existing groups.
Jane Bailey - Secretary
I joined SW Mencap Committee in January 2009 when I became the Minute taker. I quickly moved on to become Secretary. I take the Minutes at our regular Committee meetings and undertake most of the administration involved in running the Society. I assist with the Society's fund raising events and work closely with the Chairman to ensure that the Society runs as smoothly as possible.
I joined SW Mencap Committee in January 2009 when I became the Minute taker. I quickly moved on to become Secretary. I take the Minutes at our regular Committee meetings and undertake most of the administration involved in running the Society. I assist with the Society's fund raising events and work closely with the Chairman to ensure that the Society runs as smoothly as possible.
Patrick Bailey - Membership Secretary
I have been Membership Secretary of SW Mencap Society since 2015 and sit on the Mencap Committee. I am responsible for collecting the Annual Subscriptions from all Members. I am also active in organising events such as Canal boat trips, theatre trips and organising Raffles at events such as the Mencap Christmas Meal. I am also an active volunteer at the weekly Side by Side Club and help with transporting Members to the Club.
I have been Membership Secretary of SW Mencap Society since 2015 and sit on the Mencap Committee. I am responsible for collecting the Annual Subscriptions from all Members. I am also active in organising events such as Canal boat trips, theatre trips and organising Raffles at events such as the Mencap Christmas Meal. I am also an active volunteer at the weekly Side by Side Club and help with transporting Members to the Club.
Daphne Cornell
President of Saffron Walden Mencap Society.
President of Saffron Walden Mencap Society.
Jacqueline Lucas - Safeguarding Trustee
I really enjoy volunteering as a trustee for Saffron Walden Mencap Society. In my role as trustee for safeguarding I make sure that our trustees and staff are all regularly trained in this area and that they, and our volunteers, have up to date DBS certificates.
Safeguarding is an item on our agenda at every Trustees meeting, where our Chair and the other Trustees can make sure that I am doing everything I should be! Between meetings I keep an eye on our safeguarding policies and procedures, make sure they are up to date, and sometimes speak to our Safeguarding Lead and Deputy (Steve and Di) who are there to help our members with any safeguarding concerns.
I really enjoy volunteering as a trustee for Saffron Walden Mencap Society. In my role as trustee for safeguarding I make sure that our trustees and staff are all regularly trained in this area and that they, and our volunteers, have up to date DBS certificates.
Safeguarding is an item on our agenda at every Trustees meeting, where our Chair and the other Trustees can make sure that I am doing everything I should be! Between meetings I keep an eye on our safeguarding policies and procedures, make sure they are up to date, and sometimes speak to our Safeguarding Lead and Deputy (Steve and Di) who are there to help our members with any safeguarding concerns.
Ben Dimmock
Charity Treasurer and chief BBQ cook at the Big Summer BBQs each year. Happily dedicating my time to help with this great and local charity.
Charity Treasurer and chief BBQ cook at the Big Summer BBQs each year. Happily dedicating my time to help with this great and local charity.
Gerard Walbanke
My youngest daughter has been a member of Saffron Walden Mencap for some years and knowing how she absolutely enjoys the weekly Side by Side Club and social activities I was pleased to become a Trustee six years ago.
I lend a hand with fundraising and social events helping in some small way to bring fun and enjoyment to our members' lives.
My youngest daughter has been a member of Saffron Walden Mencap for some years and knowing how she absolutely enjoys the weekly Side by Side Club and social activities I was pleased to become a Trustee six years ago.
I lend a hand with fundraising and social events helping in some small way to bring fun and enjoyment to our members' lives.
Richard Clark
Richard has attended Saffron Walden Mencap’s Side by Side Club since it
began. He enjoys meeting up with friends at the Wednesday
evening sessions and participating in all sorts of activities, especially Karaoke!!
Richard was invited to become a trustee and he believes that he
gives people with learning disabilities ‘a voice’.
Richard has three jobs! He works at Homebase, Springwell Garden Centre and
The Courtyard Café. A busy man!!
In his spare time Richard is very creative. He is the proud author of a book
called Louie Gambit! He also loves to do Art Foils and enjoys cooking. Other
interests include baking, Playstation and colouring.
Richard has attended Saffron Walden Mencap’s Side by Side Club since it
began. He enjoys meeting up with friends at the Wednesday
evening sessions and participating in all sorts of activities, especially Karaoke!!
Richard was invited to become a trustee and he believes that he
gives people with learning disabilities ‘a voice’.
Richard has three jobs! He works at Homebase, Springwell Garden Centre and
The Courtyard Café. A busy man!!
In his spare time Richard is very creative. He is the proud author of a book
called Louie Gambit! He also loves to do Art Foils and enjoys cooking. Other
interests include baking, Playstation and colouring.
Jo Arundell
My name is Jo and my daughter regularly attends Side by Side club and Go With our Flow. She thoroughly enjoys both of these clubs and all the other events that are laid on by Mencap. This gives her independence and time with friends which is hugely important to her.
I am keen to give back to this very special organisation and therefore was very happy to be asked to become a trustee. I help wherever I can and regularly bake cakes for the many events that they run.
My name is Jo and my daughter regularly attends Side by Side club and Go With our Flow. She thoroughly enjoys both of these clubs and all the other events that are laid on by Mencap. This gives her independence and time with friends which is hugely important to her.
I am keen to give back to this very special organisation and therefore was very happy to be asked to become a trustee. I help wherever I can and regularly bake cakes for the many events that they run.
Julie Petchey
I joined Saffron Walden Mencap Society as a Trustee in 2022. I also volunteer at Side by Side Club and the GrowAbility Club. My daughter, Willow, is an active member of Saffron Walden Mencap Society and attends the Side by Side Club, GWOF and the GrowAbility Club.
I joined Saffron Walden Mencap Society as a Trustee in 2022. I also volunteer at Side by Side Club and the GrowAbility Club. My daughter, Willow, is an active member of Saffron Walden Mencap Society and attends the Side by Side Club, GWOF and the GrowAbility Club.
Learn to really listen and be there for someone else.
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