Supported Internships
Of course, we never lose sight of why Mission EmployAble (MEA) is so unique. We train young adults, aged 18-25 with a learning disability, to become employable. Our interns come from the surrounding areas of Herts and Bucks, and commit to the supported internship programme in conjuction with the Bucks College Group.
They will be trained by a wonderful team headed up by training manager, Cass Langham, within our training centre based in the Café on The Common, Chorleywood.
Our current interns are stunning us with their skills, enthusiasm and commitment to the programme. Best of all, they are clearly enjoying their on-the-job training inside the café and other outside work experiences that are part of their work employability training course.
Could You Employ One Of Our interns?
Employers tell us that adults with a learning disability are hard-working, reliable, eager to please and popular with both colleagues and customers. All they need is a sympathetic employer and some initial support in their role. With our help, you can easily become a ‘disability friendly’ employer. You will soon see that employing a young adult with a learning disability is as rewarding for you as it is for them.
If you think you can offer permanent part-time paid work, up to 20 hours, to one of our interns once they finish their training in July, click here to view the flyer, or please contact: claudine.hall@missionemployable.co.uk
Our vision is ‘fulfilling lives for people with learning disabilities’. We believe in people with learning disabilities leading fulfilled lives by reaching their full potential, being afforded opportunities to train and be employed, being valued in the workplace and playing an active role in their local community.
MEA is a social enterprise charity working in partnership with The Chorleywood Cricket Club, located on Chorleywood Common. The shared ambition of MEA and the Chorleywood Cricket Club was to build a new cricket pavilion on the existing site. In October 2022, the building was finished and MEA and the Cricket Club gained accesss to the new pavilion.
Café on The Common is the training facility for MEA. It is staffed by people with learning disabilities, Monday to Friday, as they work to a college timetable. At weekends the café is staffed by young adults from the local community.
Our interns are being taught catering skills, front-of-house and general work skills, to prepare them for paid work.
We invite local businesses to engage with us so that they can see for themselves what our future candidates are capable of doing and what benefits they could bring to their businesses and to the local community. Why don't you pop into the café and see for yourself.
Our Café provides a bespoke and supported employment scheme for young adults with learning disabilities. Each candidate completes a Learning, Employment and Progression Diploma in affiliation with the Bucks College Group.
Candidates cover core units such as Communicating Effectively with Customers, Food and Hygiene Safety, and working with the Global Bridge Group, which is a pioneering EdTech platform that connects young people and education with employers, apprenticeships and universities. In addition, some of our bespoke units include crossing roads for pedestrians, using money for shopping, and understanding bus and train timetables to get access to work. These units are delivered alongside in-house work placements at our Café.
The in-house work placements provide a perfect opportunity for candidates to learn new skills in a real work environment. They also allow candidates to build their confidence in a safe work environment, where making mistakes is seen as a valuable part of the learning process. This part of the work programme is underpinned by the systematic instruction process.
News
Calling all Disability Confident Employers
Posted: 19th July 2024
£200
Paws For A Cause: IT Firm Brings Dogs To Work
Posted: 3rd July 2024
Most people have heard of Bring Your Daughter To Work Day, an initiative to encourage girls to consider professions where women are under-represented, but one Herts company went a step further by allowing employees to bring their dog into the office for one day, in return for a donation to a charity.
Minerva IT Services, which is based in Potters Bar, opened its doors to canine friends of all shapes and sizes on its first Paws For A Cause Day in June, raising more than £200 for Chorleywood charity MEA.
Victoria Livingston, marketing manager for Minerva said: 'I am always looking for new ways to help the community and when I heard that [Minerva director and Chorleywood Cricket Club member] John Chadwick was involved with MEA's dog-friendly café in Chorleywood, I came up with Paws For A Cause.'
John Chadwick said: 'Everyone brought in their dogs, who happily wagged their tails, which had a positive impact on the team, who couldn't stop smiling all day.'
MEA Café On The Common manager Annie Baker said: "We know that sound well, a combination of people laughing and the odd dog bark, fills our café, every day."
£6,400
'Under the Stars': A Resounding Success
Posted: 19th June 2024
We are thrilled to announce that our recent fundraiser a music quiz night under the stars was a resounding success, raising an incredible £6,400 for our cause. The event took place on a beautiful Friday night, with supporters gathering for a night of quiz, music and dancing.
The atmosphere was electric as teams competed in the quiz, showcasing their knowledge and having a great time. The night was filled with laughter, friendly competition, and a sense of community as everyone came together to support their local charity, MEA.
We are truly grateful to all of our supporters who attended the event and contributed to its success. Your generosity will make a significant impact on our cause, allowing us to continue our important work and make a difference in the lives of our interns.
Thank you to everyone who helped make our fundraiser ME quiz night under the stars a night to remember. Your support means the world to us, and we are so grateful for each and every one of you. Here's to many more successful events in the future!
Volunteer With Us
Posted 4th June 2024
We're Recruiting!
Posted 15th May 2024
Trainers
We are looking for additional full-time and part- time trainers due to the growing success of the programme. Must have an understanding of young people with learning disabilities, and experience in Maths and English either as a teacher/tutor/higher level teaching assistant.
Volunteers
In particular, we are looking for café hosts for weekdays and weekends - no experience needed, and volunteers to join our Training and Fundraising teams.
Café Supervisor
A part-time opportunity for anyone with excellent people skills and experience in supervising.
For further details click here. To register your interest, please contact: v.rousseau@missionemployable.co.uk
Bluebell Walk & Pop-Up Woodland Café
Posted 4th March 2024
A Family Day Out & Afternoon Teas
"The seas of bluebells were quite magical, especially when the sun broke through the pale green of the tree canopy." - Rachel Hatfield
Location:
Crosslane Wood, Burtons Lane, Chalfont St. Giles
Dates:
Sunday 5th May, 11am-4pm
Monday 6th May, 10am-3pm
Tickets:
£28 Family Ticket
£10 Adult Ticket
£6 Concessionary ticket for over 60’s
Children under 12 FREE
£230
Mercer & Hole raise £230 with their Staff Cake Sales
Posted 11 April 2024
£1,236
Support Simon Elson
Update 12 April 2024
Local resident Simon Elson is running the Southampton marathon in April, 2024, to raise money for our charity.
"MEA is an incredible organisation and a real asset to the local community," said Simon. "I cannot think of a worthier cause to raise money for."
‘Under The Stars’ Music Quiz Night
Updated: 13th March 2024
Join us for a Magical Musical Quiz Night under the twinkling stars in a marquee set in stunning grounds, back by popular demand. Get ready for a night filled with music, good vibes and unforgettable memories. Remember to bring your own picnic feast. This is always a sell out event.
Date: Friday 14th June 2024
Gates Open: 7pm
Quiz Starts: 8pm
Ends: 10.30pm
Tickets: £16.00 per person (+booking fee)
Tickets: Tables for 8 or 10 people can be booked
Christmas cards available now!
Posted 8th December 2023
We require a Head of Charity Operations
Posted 31st October 2023
We have created an exciting new full-time role for a Head of Charity Operations. The successful candidate, who should be available as soon as possible, will be involved in all aspects of our work, responsible for our charitable objectives and will be a key and active member of our team.
The post holder will report to the Board of Trustees and be accountable for both leadership and operational duties.
RESPONSIBILITIES/JOB DESCRIPTION:
For a full job description and an application form, please contact the Chair of MEA Katharine Weston via email on: katharine.weston@missionemployable.co.uk
A new bike rack!
Posted 27th October 2023
The Parish Council have just installed this amazing new bike rack opposite the café.
Apply for a place on our 2024/25 internship programme!
Posted 20th September 2023
Supported Internships
for young people with learning disabilities
September 2024 - July 2025
An employment training scheme for young adults with learning disabilities, from Herts, Bucks, Hillingdon and beyond, working in partnership with a local Further Education College.
Don’t miss out on this life-changing opportunity!
Contact us now if you are interested in a place!
training@missionemployable.co.uk
Cheryl visits our Café on The Common!
Posted 9th November 2023
It was a real pleasure to have Cheryl stop by our Café on The Common this week and show her support for our charity. Our intern George was delighted to demonstrate his customer service skills and received some lovely feedback.
Thank you Cheryl for popping in - it was great to meet you!
The Little Big Things Musical
Posted 8th September 2023
An extraordinary true story about an ordinary family.
BOOK BY MONDAY 11th SEPTEMBER
Location:
4 Soho Place, Charing Cross Road, London W1D 3BG
Dates:
Monday 18th September, 7:30pm
Tickets:
£48
An extraordinary true story about an ordinary family
When one moment changes everything, Henry’s family are split between a past they no longer recognise, and a future they could never foresee.
Can Mum and Dad rally his three brothers; as the family start a journey to overcome the unimaginable?
Based on the Sunday Times best-selling autobiography by Henry Fraser, The Little Big Things is a new British musical with an explosive theatrical pop soundtrack in a world premiere production.
This uplifting and colourful new musical is a life-affirming reminder about the transformative power of family, and how sometimes it really is the little things which matter the most.
An avid sportsman and academy player with a premiership Rugby club, Henry Fraser’s life changed forever when in 2009 he had a diving accident. From that moment he had a new life to live as a tetraplegic and new circumstances to accept and adapt to. Henry’s defiance and determination to prosper against devastating odds led to him wheeling himself out of hospital a whole year earlier than predicted. Today he is a successful artist, inspirational speaker and best-selling author.
Henry Fraser said: “There have been many things that have happened since my accident that I never thought about in life, never planned and really surprised me, in a great way. This musical is one of those moments. The guys have been great to work with and the moment they played me a couple of songs I was sold. I still can’t believe it’s actually happening and it makes me incredibly excited and nervous.”
Created by a young team of exciting theatre makers, The Little Big Things has music by Nick Butcher (Loved Before), lyrics by Nick Butcher and Tom Ling (Techies: The Musical), a book by Joe White (Blackout Songs – Olivier Award nominated), and is directed by Luke Sheppard (& Juliet – Olivier Award winner, and Tony Award nominated).
Luke Sheppard said: “After an incredible development process over the last few years, it’s a privilege to be welcoming the world to this brand-new musical premiering at London’s newest theatre. With an extraordinary true story at the centre of it and an electrifying new score, we can’t wait to bring this thrilling new production to the stage.”
Nick Butcher said: “Getting to know Henry Fraser and his family has been both a joy and a key part of the song writing process. Many of our personal conversations inspired songs within the show both honouring and expanding on Henry’s autobiography.”
Summer Offers!
Posted 27th July 2023
Cream Teas
£6.45 or 2 for £12.50
A homemade scone, clotted cream & jam, with a coffee or pot of tea
Available all week, 2:45-4:00pm (Sundays ‘til 3:30pm)
Congratulations to our Graduates of 2023!
Posted 26th July 2023
Monday 3 July was Graduation Day for our 2023 interns.
Amy, Ellis, Esme, Marina, Adam, Daniel, Gregory, Jack, James and Lukas have successfully completed their 11-month supported internship with MEA.
We are so proud of you!
All of this would not have happened without our amazing training, catering and cafe teams: Tom, Beth, Kim, Olivia, Cass, Jackie, Pete, Anna, Jo, David, Tina and Claudine.
To all of our customers, thank you for being part of our young people’s journey and being part of our story.
Daniel and Lukas' Photography Exhibition
Posted 27th June 2023
Daniel and Lukas are showcasing their photographic work as part of their course towards achieving membership of the Guild of Photographers lead by Chris Hall from The Narrators Lens and supported by trainer Jackie Quirk.
This exhibition is taking place in the shop window at Chapter 2 (Hospice of St Francis) in the High St in Chesham.
We would like to encourage our supporters to go down and take a look. If you would like to purchase any of the framed work, you can contact training@missionemployable.co.uk
#Chaptertwo_bookshop #Thenarratorslens
Mission... Accomplished!
Updated 23rd June 2023
Cass, our Training Manager, was thrilled to present Lukas with his signed contract after a successful interview yesterday. We are absolutely delighted that Lukas made a positive impression on Sodexo during the interview at RAF Halton. Our wonderful customers, who were enjoying a delightful lunch at Cafe on The Common, in the pavilion, joined in a round of applause upon hearing the fantastic news.
This is exactly what we were striving for when we started this project. We are committed to providing a pathway to employment and fulfilling the lives of our young people.
Best of luck, Lukas, from all of us here at MEA. We will miss you.
Another fantastic bit of news! Another of our interns, Amy, has now just been offered a full-time apprenticeship in Level 2 Child Care at Ollie Owl Day Nursery. This is a great role for Amy who has a very caring nature and has worked exceptionally hard through the 11 month Internship Programme here at MEA.
SEND Herts Local offer Guest Blog
Posted 13th June 2023
'You may remember our last blog introducing ourselves - a new Hertfordshire based charity who run year-long supported internships for adults with an EHCP aged 18 - 25, living in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Middlesex and beyond.
We are pleased to announce that our training cafe in Chorleywood is now up and running, and is proving to be a big success both with our interns, and our customers!'
! STOP PRESS !
Posted 22nd May 2023
The car park in front of the Café on the Common can be busy even when the Café is not busy!
To check if the Café has tables free:
Pop in to check, visit our Café page, or use our availability app mentioned here.
Note that the Café is close to several other car parks:
Overflow car park 2 min.
Chorleywood House 2 min.
In front of Christ Church Primary School 5 min.
£4,447
Charity Praises Generosity of Northwood Residents
Update 22nd May 2023
A group of students from Northwood College is raising money for Chorleywood-based charity MEA by taking part in the Hatch End Junior Triathlon Under 9s on May 21, for which they will swim 250m, cycle 2km and run 1.2km.
The 10 girls were inspired after sisters Keira and Shailee visited MEA’s training café on Chorleywood Common with their parents and brother Kush, who has Downs Syndrome.
The sisters’ mother Nisha said:
‘Your mission is just wonderful and will be so valuable to us and many others.
We are keen to support you because what you are doing helps raise awareness of all that can be achieved by people with learning disabilities.’
Erica Bendall, a trustee of MEA, said:
‘The Soni sisters and their schoolfriends are just the latest Northwood people to be so generous.
We hope more Northwood people will visit our lovely café and that young adults with learning disabilities from the Northwood area will apply for one of our internships this September.’
Applications are open for MEA supported internships starting in September.
Applicants must be 18 – 25 years old and be working at entry level 2 in functional English and Maths.
For details of internships:
To donate to Keira, Shailee and their classmates’ Triathlon in aid of MEA:
globalbridge Star of the Month
Posted 17th May 2023
"In April we welcomed our first group of student interns from MEA to globalbridge. This talented group of young people will be using their globalbridge profiles to showcase the amazing skills they are developing on their internships, which includes running their community café!"
- globalbridge
Good To Go
Updated 17th May 2023
Brent
£3,877
Lisa
£1,750
We are delighted that two local heroes are supporting us this spring.
£7,808
Bluebell Walk & Pop-Up Woodland Café
Posted 30th March 2023
A Family Day Out & Afternoon Teas
"The seas of bluebells were quite magical, especially when the sun broke through the pale green of the tree canopy." - Rachel Hatfield
Location:
Crosslane Wood, Burtons Lane, Chalfont St. Giles
Dates:
Sunday 30th April, 12pm-4pm
Monday 1st May, 10am-3pm
Tickets:
£28 Family Ticket
£10 Adult Ticket
£6 Concessionary ticket for over 60’s
Children under 10 FREE
Even though the Café on The Common is up and running we have decided, after many requests to reopen the woodlands and pop up café, for the May Day Bank holiday, Sunday and Monday. Open for people of all ages to explore these magnificent ancient bluebell woodlands.
MEA has been given access to the ancient Crosslane Wood (on Burtons Lane), so that families, individuals, children and grandparents can admire its stunning bluebells.
The Bluebell Walk makes a lovely outing for the whole family, including the dog.
Visitors will be able to wander along a marked path in the woods and buy teas, homemade cakes and soft drinks from a pop-up woodland café.
All proceeds from the day go to MEA to continue with their charitable work fulfilling lives young adults with learning disabilities.
Free parking and disabled access will both be signposted (If you require disabled access which has a different point of entry into the woods, please contact erica@missionemployable.co.uk once you have made your booking).
Dogs must be kept on a lead.
Customers Rush For Best Buns In Town
Posted 24th February 2023
Ricky’s Famous Cinnamon Buns Available From Chorleywood Café
Fans of Rickmansworth’s Cinnamon Square Bakery delicious cinnamon buns will be delighted to know that the signature buns can still be enjoyed in Chorleywood.
Now that the Cinnamon Café is run as a bakery, rather than as a café, owners Paul and Tricia Barker wanted their much sought after buns (a sort of Danish pastry with creamy icing) to be available elsewhere and chose Chorleywood’s Café on the Common as the venue.
The couple were so impressed by the new café, which is run by the charity MEA, that they approached café manager Tom Neath to ask if he would consider a partnership.
The buns are already proving enormously popular, with more than 150 sold in the first week.
‘We’ve watched the building [Café on the Common] going up and as we always enjoyed meeting customers in our own café, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to get our buns to new customers and to be part of the incredible MEA story,’ said Paul and Tricia.
Tom Neath said: ‘It is a real feather in our cap to be given the chance to be the exclusive sellers of these buns, which really put Ricky on the map - and now us.
‘People can’t get enough of them.’
Looking to join the programme?
Posted 13th February 2023
We’re hosting a virtual open day for our September 2023 training programme in February 2023!
Cinnamon Square Buns
Posted 2nd February 2023
Great News! We are selling Cinnamon Square Buns!
We couldn’t be more delighted when Paul popped in last week to support us here at MEA with his historic and much loved Cinnamon iced bun - perfect when warmed.
Mission Possible!
Updated 13th March 2023
Café On the Common Opened On 16th January 2023
After four years of fund-raising and just over a year of building, MEA’s Café on The Common finally opened its doors to an eager public on Monday, January 16th.
The stylish interior, delicious food and helpful staff, together with the beautiful setting on Chorleywood Common, meant there was no shortage of visitors queuing up on opening day.
Erica Bendall, MEA Trustee, said: “The atmosphere on opening day was terrific, with couples, individuals and dog walkers raving about their experience. Our interns spent the previous week training in the café, so they were ship-shape for opening day and all our visitors said that their visit was worth waiting for.”
Uniquely, the café is run by MEA, a social enterprise charity founded in 2018.
Each year, the charity trains a team of interns with learning disabilities and with the 30-seater café as a training centre, gives the young people the skills and confidence to find paid work when they finish their year’s programme at MEA.
Opening hours:
Monday: 8:30am-4:30pm
Tuesday-Saturday: 8:30am-4:30pm
Sunday: 10:00am-4:00pm
News From MEA
Posted 5th December 2022
After three years of fund-raising and one year of building, everyone at MEA is hugely excited to be opening its Café on The Common within the Cricket Club’s new pavilion in December.
We have almost reached our joint target of £2.1m and are looking forward to welcoming visitors to our café, especially the many people who have supported us from the beginning.
We have loved meeting friends and supporters at our many fund-raising events. A virtual dog show, music quiz nights, bluebell walks with a pop-up cafe, a comedy night and many other events have not only raised money, but also allowed us to tell people about the training café and to answer questions from parents of young adults with learning disabilities.
Many residents supported local hero Brent’s 4 x 100 ultra marathons, Helen’s London to Paris cycle ride, Lucy, Helen & Pete’s marathon, the five Coast Busters’ cycle ride to Cornwall and the 3 Peaks Challenge undertaken by Sagacity Solutions.
We are also grateful for donations from Chorleywood & Hazlemere Golf Clubs, St Clement Danes’ Charity week, along with corporate donations such as Urenco Ltd, and Northwood U3a Ukulele group, Northwood 41 Club, Northwood Area Women’s Club and KindheART charity, to name but a few!
We have been generously supported by Three Rivers District Councillors, especially Phil Williams, Alison Wall and Ciaran Reed and Alex Murray and his team at W3RT.
Chorleywood Parish Council, who has worked alongside us during the building process, are as excited as we are that the opening day is looming.
Common Ranger Daniel and his team planted grassland seeds this week, which will eventually grow and surround the edges of the new Cricket Club pavilion.
Councillor Debbie Rosario, Chair of the Parish Council, said “The Parish Council is delighted that the completion of the pavilion is nearing its end. We look forward to the Café on The Common opening and seeing the excellent work undertaken by MEA continuing in the heart of our community as well as the expansion of cricket opportunities on the Common in 2023.”
CHRISTMAS CARDS
After the popularity of last year’s cards, the charity is selling three colourful designs this Christmas; one by Chorleywood artist Lizzy Duncan and two by Joe, who completed his internship with MEA in the summer.
WILLOW TREE ART INSTALLATION
The Willow Tree has been installed and graces the entrance to the new building and there is still time to buy a leaf (and perhaps dedicate it to a loved one with an inscription).
SANTA DASH
A chance to don a Santa hat and complete one of three circuits of the Common (2.5km, 5km or 7.5km), with proceeds split equally between Christ Church School PTA, Chorleywood Cricket Club and MEA. This event sold out very quickly last year and is great fun for people of all ages – and their dogs. Supported by MP Gagan Mohindra who is planning on doing the Dash. This year the run starts from outside the Pavilion and new for this year includes Catch Santa for all the 2.5km runners. From the cricket club serving hatch, we will be serving mince pies, hot sausage rolls and hot drinks for runners and supporters – please do enjoy some refreshment before and after the event.
THE REUSABLE CUP SCHEME
As part of its aim to be as sustainable as possible, Café on the Common will be saying no to paper cups. The charity is teaming up with Ecoffee Cup’s reusable cup scheme.
Buyers of takeaway drinks will have 3 options:
We're Recruiting!
Posted: 10th November 2022
Front of House
We are keen to recruit reliable and friendly front of house team members to work in our new Café on the Common, Chorleywood.
Accounting / Bookkeeper
We are looking for a someone to help keep their accounts up-to-date and accurate. This will be a part-time role with an estimated 10-15 hours a week needed.
To see all opportunities, download our flyer:
The Willow Tree Art Installation
Updated: 3rd November 2022
An Art Installation With Personal Inscriptions for the Pavilion Fund
The Willow Tree has been installed and graces the entrance to the new building - and there is still time to buy a leaf (and perhaps dedicate it to a loved one with an inscription).
A new art installation representing the leaves of a willow tree, has been specially commissioned from artist, Claudia Ashely-Brown for the entrance to the new Cricket Club pavilion on the Common.
The tree will have 500 bronze, orange, silver and gold metallic painted leaves, which can be inscribed with a personal message, costing between £200 and £500, with the payments divided between the Cricket Club and the charity MEA.
MEA, whose training Café on the Common for young adults with learning disabilities will be housed within the new pavilion, has 125 orange leaves for sale, price £250 each.
Payments for the remaining leaves, which are in bronze (£200), silver (£300) and gold (£500), will go to the Cricket Club’s fund for the new building.
Erica Bendall, chair of MEA’s fundraising committee said: “We hope the community, who have been behind us from the start, will continue to support us by buying a leaf and perhaps inscribing it with a dedication to a loved one. For dog lovers and cricketers alike, we also have some gorgeous dogs and puppies playing under the tree along with several balls and a set of cricket stumps. The bats have all been sold I’m afraid.
This is a wonderful way to raise money and to celebrate the lives of young adults with learning disabilities and the game of cricket, one leaf at a time.”
£2,736
Helene's London to Paris Cycle
Posted: 3rd October 2022
"Alas the time has come and it’s a privilege to add a little to the amazing fundraising you and the team have achieved" said Helene the morning of her cycling challenge to Paris 7-11th September.
We can't thank you enough, Helene, for cycling from London to Paris in the pouring rain for 4 days, covering 335 miles, in 20 miles-an-hour head winds! You are a MEA hero!
£1009
Pete's Chorleywood Common Run
Updated: 3rd October 2022
Continuing on the sporting front, local resident Pete Higgins, who recently started working for MEA as a trainer, has secured a place in the London Marathon and will be running to raise money and awareness for MEA. You may well see him pounding the roads around the villages of Rickmansworth, Croxley and Chorleywood Common as he trains, so please give him a wave and, if you would like to support him, please donate.
Pete was helped on Sunday 11th September while he was running 13 laps of the Common in readiness for the London Marathon by plenty of locals friends out for a morning jog. Thank you for all of your support, including daughter Emily who was their pacemaker, Granddaughter Nancy and the family dog, Mabel, who turned up to give him a bit of encouragement towards the end of the morning. Go Pete!
£4,025
Captain’s Charity, Hazlemere Golf Club
Updated: 13th September 2022
£2,617
Three Peaks Challenge for Ricky Data Company
Updated 19th October 2022
Johnny Rice
A group of 12 employees from data solutions company, Sagacity, that began life in Rickmansworth over fifteen years ago, are participating in the Three Peaks Challenge on 24 June to help raise money for our training café inside Chorleywood Cricket Club’s new pavilion and for the charity Children with Cancer.
The team of Ben Hodge, Charlotte O’Connor, Costas Christoforou, James Spencer, Johnny Rice (who lives locally and plays cricket for Chorleywood CC), Michael Paul, Owen Chesney, Raj Saimbhi, Walter Ramos, Jamie Crouch, Michael O’Neil and David Mattock will be taking on the challenge.
Ben Hodge of Sagacity said: “Our expedition will begin on 24 June and we aim to complete the challenge in the early hours of 25 June. We’re all looking forward to getting stuck in and raising as much as we can for two fantastic charities.”
The Three Peaks Challenge takes place in the three peaks of Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon, a total ascent of 3064m and 23 miles, tackled in three stages over 24 hours.
£3,500
Local Charity donates
£3,500 for computers
Update 19th October 2022
We chose this charity because we love what they are doing ie empowering young adults with disability to live a fuller life which matches our mission.
Our vision is that all children and young adults deserve 'A Brighter Future'.
We are a young local charity run by women who live in Herts and Middlesex - We support a range of good causes both internationally in the poorest parts of the world as well as local charities which also work towards empowering women and children.
"We curate Art events and look forward to local women who are interested in the Arts with an element of social to join us at our events" says Alka Shah Chair of KindHeART Charity.
Erica Bendall said "We are delighted that KindHeART charity reached out to us and we are looking forward to working together for future projects."
£5,948
Building Relationships with St Clement Danes
Posted 27th May 2022
We are delighted that St Clement Danes has supported us during this academic year, we are looking forward to increasing opportunities for their students to be involved with MEA. The charity will continue to benefit from a number of their whole school fundraising efforts as our relationship develops over the coming years. In addition we will see a number of their Sixth Form students extending their community service to work with the MEA team and interns.
"We are delighted to work with a charity at the heart of our Chorleywood community, especially one that is focused on training and education for young people - and provides the prospect of a café with delicious food!" - Toby Sutherland, Headteacher
Stop Press - Tickets On Sale Now For Two Events
Posted: 19th May 2022
‘Under The Stars’ Music Quiz Night
Friday 22nd July, 7:00pm - 10:30pm
Nr Chorleywood
Golf Day In Aid Of Chorleywood Cricket Club’s New Pavilion
Wednesday 14th September 2022
Moor Park Golf Club
ALL SOLD OUT. But still available for the evening are the 3 course dinners with drinks @ 6.30pm & dinner from 7.15pm.
£14,000+
Our Community Know How To Reach Out!
Posted 8th June 2022
A big thank you to friends and supporters whose support has made it possible for the New Pavilion and MEA to be near completion.
“In the last five months alone, people have baked cakes, sung their hearts out, competed at Bridge, organised an all-school charities week and donned their sports gear, raising more than £14,000” says a delighted Erica Bendall.
Sums raised in past five months:
A Family Day Out & Afternoon Teas
"The seas of bluebells were quite magical, especially when the sun broke through the pale green of the tree canopy, and I had a real sense of people coming alive after a long hibernation: Happy families enjoying the privilege of a new place to explore and a fun pop up café." - Rachel Hatfield
Photos courtesy of Simon Varnals. Video courtesy of Tim Harris.
Chorleywood Cricket Club receives £75,000
Posted: 25th March 2022
“Chorleywood Cricket Club has been an established part of Hertfordshire for nearly 200 years. By upgrading their current facilities, the club can continue to serve the local community for many years to come.”
“I’m pleased that HS2 can leave a positive legacy through supporting the continued growth of the club. I would encourage any organisation that can demonstrate that they have been impacted by the construction of HS2 to also apply for funding”.
Cathy Elliott, Independent Chair of the HS2 Funds
“We would like to thank HS2’s Community and Environment Fund for their generous grant, which is being used to construct the new pavilion. HS2’s CEF contribution has helped ensure that the club will be able to provide cricket for generations to come and will enable our partners, MEA, to provide training for young adults with learning disabilities. The combination of the cricket club and the café will allow the whole community to enjoy the pavilion all year round.""
Steve Dunning, Chair of Chorleywood Cricket Club
£1,176
Fly Me To The Moon!
Posted: 24th February 2022
Looking to expand the team!
Posted: 25th January 2022
We're looking to expand our team and require an experienced part-time trainer for our year long Supported Internships programme, which began on 6th September, 2021. This is an exciting role and the successful candidate will have an understanding of young people with a learning disability, together with a can-do attitude and passion to help our Interns become work-ready.
£1,067
Please Support Us
Updated: 8th June 2022
£3,635
Hitting A Happy Note At 97
Updated: 8th June 2022
£3,046
Strictly Fundraising - A Northwood Club Makes Us Their Chosen Charity For 2021/22
Updated: 8th June 2022
We are delighted to announce that the Northwood Area Women’s Club (NAWC) has made MEA their Charity of the Year, May 2021 - May 2022.
NAWC members are well known in their community for helping a variety of good causes through social events and fund-raising initiatives and have committed to supporting MEA over the last 12 months.
One of NAWC’s most popular activities is a weekly FITSTEPS Dancercise class, led by former UK Ballroom and Latin Dance Champion Suzanne Newbert.The ladies have been incredible busy raising a staggering £3,046 with a monthly raffle, Ladies who Lunch, ABC Sale, along with their Christmas Market including selling MEA's Christmas cards. Pam Greening and Lynette Morrow presented the cheque to Katharine Weston on the 12th May.
“We are delighted to receive NAWC fund-raising cheque today, it has been a great partnership with the ladies and we are looking forward to seeing them at the Café when we open in early Autumn.” says Katharine Weston
Photos courtesy of Cindy Kane