Sam, a former primary and special educational needs and disability teacher now works at a children's charity in London. Having been based in East London for the last 5 years, he joined a local run club and it sparked his love for late night running and great coffee.
“I have gotten to build a great community A community is the people and places in an area. here, a lot of it through running! I joined a local run club at a nearby coffee shop called “Running Late” and have made great friends through the community there, as well as had some great coffees on the way!”
Mencap does amazing work, and I should know, as I used to work there.
I worked on a programme called
Supported Internships
A work placement for young people with additional needs, where they get support from a job coach.
that helped young people with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
to get
work experience
Work experience is when you try out a job to help you learn new skills.
and eventually paid
employment
Employment means having a job.
. Getting to support young people as they built their confidence and skills to become the people they're capable of was amazing. It was a privilege to see folks get jobs at pubs, in bike shops and retail, as well as build up skills that other people sometimes said they would never be able to. Running for Mencap means funding programmes like that, and I know the fantastic impact they can have!"
What would you say to someone to encourage them to run for Mencap?
“It's been an incredible experience Experience is when you have learned or tried something before. , from the community of other runners, to the support you get from Mencap. I can't recommend it enough!”
Fundraising for London is a big challenge, what are your top fundraising tips?
"Ask for help! Whether that's a partner, friends or family, people are amazing and I've found that to be the thing that's gotten me through fundraising. Whether it's helping sort quiz tickets, helping share the fundraiser or showing up, the people around you are so important! And, if you're like me and roped in local businesses for prizes and things, make sure they're the ones you support and have links to, it makes all the difference!"
Feeling inspired by Sam's story?
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