Manx Mencap’s Island-Wide Activity Schemes
Manx Mencap runs activity schemes during every school holiday except TT Week, offering a lifeline for children and young people with learning disabilities. Through close partnership with Autism in Mann, the scheme is also open to children with autism and social communication challenges, widening access for families who often struggle to find suitable activities.
The programme provides a varied schedule of accessible, inclusive and engaging experiences across the island. Sessions include sensory swim mornings, adventure play with Isle of Play, LEGO Club, horse riding, carriage driving, sailing with Sailing for the Disabled, baking, farm visits, soft play, indoor and outdoor climbing, and nature meet-ups at family-friendly locations. The goal is simple: to give children the chance to enjoy activities that reflect their interests and abilities in a setting where they feel safe, supported and understood.
Why the Scheme Matters
For many families, school holidays are a particularly challenging period. Without the structure of the school day, children with learning disabilities may experience heightened anxiety or difficulty regulating their emotions. At the same time, mainstream holiday events are rarely equipped to meet their needs. This can leave families feeling isolated, with limited places to go where their child can simply be themselves.
Manx Mencap’s holiday schemes address these challenges directly. Each session is designed with the child at the centre, recognising the holistic needs of families too. Parents and carers are offered a judgement-free environment where they can connect with others in similar circumstances, share experiences and find peer support.
The scheme has also strengthened connections across the island’s voluntary and community sector. Twenty-seven partner organisations contributed activities over two years, demonstrating how collaboration can widen access and provide meaningful experiences that would otherwise be out of reach.
How Manx Lottery Trust Funding Helped
Funding from Manx Lottery Trust enabled Manx Mencap to deliver its holiday activity schemes across all school breaks for two full years. This support meant families could access activities at no cost, removing financial barriers at a time when rising costs would otherwise limit opportunities.
The funding made a real and lasting impact. Over two years, it opened the door for around 200 children and young people to take part in uplifting, inclusive experiences. Together, they created 3,257 sign ups across 245 events, enjoying more than 429 hours of activities designed to build confidence, connection, and joy. This programme thrived thanks to 27 community partners who brought their energy and expertise to every session.
Year on year, the momentum grew to 124 events, 220.5 hours of activity, and 1,612 sign ups, showing a community that continues to engage, grow, and come together.
This sustained support allowed Manx Mencap to prioritise planning, family engagement and collaborative working, knowing the core costs of the scheme were secured.
Positive Impact on Families
Families repeatedly shared how transformative these sessions have been. Many described them as some of the only environments where their child felt fully accepted and understood, and where siblings could participate together without stress.
Parents told the charity:
“It’s a struggle to take my child with learning disabilities somewhere she will be understood and allowed to be herself. These activities mean my other children don’t miss out either.”
“I find it extremely hard to go places as a family. With these sessions I can enjoy taking both my daughters out. The level of understanding and compassion is outstanding.”
“Normally he won’t venture out much and there are so limited things he can do, and most come with a price tag many can’t afford. This made such a difference.”
Families also celebrated the variety and quality of activities:
“We mostly loved Lester’s Yard, Dragon’s Castle and especially the summer picnic.”
“Horse trekking was the winner at our house.”
“The whole family loved all the activities you put on.”
“Sailing was brilliant, thank you for the collaboration.”
These comments show how important accessible, inclusive and affordable sessions are for families who often feel excluded from conventional holiday provision.
A Standout Moment
One of the most memorable sessions took place in July 2023 at Isle of Play’s Lester’s Yard. Around 50 children attended with their families, enjoying the freedom of exploratory play in a supportive environment designed to encourage confidence, resilience and creativity.
Parents and carers took the opportunity to chat, breathe and soak up the atmosphere. For many, this sense of belonging and ease was a rare experience. The session has since become a defining example of the positive impact that well-designed holiday provision can achieve.
Looking to the Future
Manx Mencap hopes the success of the scheme will inspire wider adoption of inclusive programming across the island. The charity now has a strong template that demonstrates what can be achieved through collaboration, training and a commitment to understanding the needs of families with children who have learning disabilities.
Chairman Sarah Kelly said the Trust was pleased to support work that strengthens community connections and expands opportunities. She said: “This scheme shows what is possible when organisations work together with a clear purpose. The impact on children, young people and their families is significant, and we are encouraged to see such meaningful, inclusive activity happening across the island.”
Manx Mencap expressed its appreciation to Manx Lottery Trust for recognising the value of the scheme and enabling two years of sustained delivery. The charity hopes the awareness raised through this work will lead to even more inclusive opportunities for families in the future.
