The new store in Orton is Mencap’s 27th store and will provide the local community with a welcoming space for everyone to shop, donate and volunteer . The money raised from sales will support Mencap’s vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Details of the opening:

When: Thursday 23 May from 10am

Where: Unit 24, Ortongate Shopping Centre, Peterborough PE2 5TD

Store opening hours: The store will be open seven days a week from 9 - 5 Monday to Saturday and 10 - 4 on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Like all Mencap stores, the Orton shop will be a haven of stylish finds, stocking clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, bric a brac, media, and toys all at fantastic affordable prices, while supporting the environment and sustainable retail.

Mencap would appreciate any support and would love to receive donations of good quality, clothes, bags and shoes to the store.

Mencap is also on the lookout for people to join their amazing volunteering team and help to make the store a friendly place to shop and donate. For anyone who wants volunteer, they can pop into the store and speak to the team or contact volunteering@mencap.org.uk for more information.

Store managers, Holly Collen and Sonya Cole said “We are so excited to open this fantastic new store please come along and support us - whether that’s donating good quality donations or giving just a few hours a week to lend a hand in the shop!”

Two women standing behind a wooden shop counter, with a Mencap logo on the pink wall behind them

 

-ENDS-       

For further information please contact Mencap’s media team on: media@mencap.org.uk or 02076965414 (including out of hours).

Notes to editors:

About Mencap:

Mencap exists to ensure the UK is the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We support people directly and campaign with people with a learning disability, their families and carers. We work to change laws, increase representation and fight for better health, social care and employment opportunities for the 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK.

What is a learning disability?

· A learning disability is a reduced intellectual ability which affects someone for their whole life. Typically, people with a learning disability need more time to learn and process information. They may need extra support to develop skills, complete tasks and interact with others, or they may have

more complex needs requiring round-the clock care. The level of support needed is different for everyone and may change during a person’s lifetime.

· Learning disability is NOT a mental illness or a learning difficulty. Often, the term ‘learning difficulty’ is wrongly used in place of ‘learning disability’. Having a learning difficulty (such as ADHD or dyslexia ) may mean a person learns at a different pace or in a different way BUT – unlike a learning disability - it does not affect a person’s intellect.

· With the right support, most people with a learning disability can lead happy, healthy, independent lives. At Mencap, it’s our mission to remove societal barriers and shatter misconceptions to make this more possible for more people.

Mencap’s guide to reporting on Learning Disability

When it comes to creating content with people with a learning disability, we know many people feel nervous about saying and doing the wrong thing. Our guide for journalists, covers everything from up to date facts and figures to the right language to use. It also includes tips on how to work with people with a learning disability to gather the best content.