WE AIM to offer a wide range of enjoyable activities and learning opportunities supported by highly trained specialist staff to develop social and life skills in a safe environment. This can help adults with learning disabilities lead a full enjoyable life and help them be as independent as possible.
Work Skills Project at The Slater Centre
Work Skills Project Link-Up going strong since 1995 providing genuine work experience in preparation for real jobs
Gateway Club
Our social club for adults with a learning disability.
We offer a wide range of fun activities that members can join in or they can just socialise with their friends.
We help in the community
Leisure Plus
Cookery and Healthy Eating Classes
with Chef Paul Buckland
Here at Mencap based in The Slater Centre Hambridge Road Newbury we run three days of cookery and healthy eating classes.
Sessions run in the Morning from 10 am until 12pm and in the afternoon 1pm until 3pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with some limited availability. Classes are small enabling excellent 1-1 support throughout the session.
We would expect that you attend the same session every week, we are open throughout the year and only close for the Christmas break.
Morning classes end with a lunch with those attending eating what they have made, with classes in the afternoon taking home dishes they have made. We always consider those with allergies.
The aim of the sessions is to broaden your cookery skills and knowledge whilst learning how to cook simple healthy nutritious dishes. No matter what your previous experience we guarantee you will enjoy the cookery classes. You will grow in confidence and make new friends.
Dishes include food from around the world, we help you learn how to save money and make your budget go further and reproduce ready meals from fresh ingredients.
Below are examples some of the dishes we have produced to a high standard.
- Pork Chop with Parsnip Mash, Mustard sauce and green beans.
- Thai green Chicken Curry, Thai Duck and Pineapple curry with rice.
- Homemade Burgers, Pitta Bread, Sweet Potato Fries, Coleslaw.
- Moroccan Lamb Flat bread Chick pea stew
- Sirloin Steak Bordelaise Fondant Potatoes Vegetables
- Sweet potato and Chick pea curry. Red Lentil Dahl Naan bread
- Mediterranean Lamb Chop Bake and Rosemary Potatoes
Our Sessions are open to those who have a diagnosed learning disability or have been referred through either the Local Authority or through your Local GP.
If you are interested in joining our classes and would like to attend a free taster session please contact Paul Harris or Paul Buckland on 01635778120 or email leisure@wbmencap.org
Our latest Blogs from the Cookery Club
“A view from our Kitchen”
Mencap Cookery Club | July 6, 2026
Mencap Cookery Club Six times a week in our little kitchen it is buzzing with the clatter of pots and pans, laughter and inquisitive questions. Eighteen months after starting here at Mencap, the kitchen is full of chat about cooking programmes, our favourite food. Oh yes and talk about food, food and more food. Each
Friendship Skills
Block printing session – a few of the guys have had a go in the study room before but this session gave FS a chance to have a go and make a small tote bag. Everyone got stuck in and channelled their creative sides!
We visited Mulberry Garden to have lunch and a look around – the flowers look blooming amazing! It was lovely to have a chat and catch up with one of our other day services.
Photography Session! Our volunteer Jeremy suggested the idea of a photography workshop in our last planning meeting – he came prepared with lighting and a backdrop!
We asked the guys if they were happy to have their self-portrait taken or if they’d rather bring in a special object that’s personal to them to take photos of/with. We practiced being the photographer and the subject of the photos and decorated frames that the printed photographs will go inside.
Cookery session – no bake cheesecakes! We had a go at making individual strawberry and raspberry cheesecakes that set by being put in the freezer for an hour. Whilst we were waiting for them to set, we cut out our photographs from last week to stick into the decorated frames. They turned out lovely!
We got out and about today – we went to Snelsmore Common for a picnic and a few games. A lovely afternoon and it stayed dry for us. We also saw the YUME group up there, they had the same idea as us! Always nice to go for a local afternoon out.
The Mulberry Garden
A therapeutic gardening project, based at The Mencap Centre, Enborne Gate, Newbury; supporting adults with a learning disability to develop their self confidence and their gardening skills in a supported and safe environment.
Newbury in Bloom Competition, Community category: silver gilt for active participation 2024 and 2025.
Our opening times are 9.30 to 2.30 Monday to Friday and we offer full day sessions or half day sessions
We grow bedding plants and hanging baskets which we sell to help fund the project and have raised beds where we grow fruit and vegetables.
For more information regarding The Mulberry Garden please contact Eli on: 07501 877360 or email eli.harris@wbmencap.org
We are also now situated at The Mulberry Garden, The Mencap Centre, Enborne Gate, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 6AT.
Newbury in Bloom Competition, Community category: silver gilt for active participation 2024 and 2025.
We were winners in 2023 of Newbury in Bloom miniature category and silver guilt for active participation
We provide a very wide range of adult services. These range from drop-in sessions to a range of different leisure activities which include sports, arts and crafts and outings.
Adult Day services are part of Support with confidence, this is Trading Standards approved.
“I like coming to Link-Up. I have learnt new skills like picking and packing orders and I really enjoy packing greeting cards for one of the customers. Coming here has really helped me develop my social skills and given me the confidence to speak to new people. I also now have the confidence to use public transport and travel independently” – Amy Newey
