More than 30 people, who between them all have notched up tens of thousands of hours supporting local people with learning disabilities, met together at a happy tea party at the Quaker Meeting House in Salisbury.

The occasion was the launch of a new independent history of the work of South Wilts Mencap (SWM) between 1999 and 2019.

Volunteers, trustees, Mencap shop staff and members, joined by the Mayor of Salisbury, Cllr Tom Corbin, all came together to remember and celebrate the work of our local society over 20 years.

Local Mencap groups are affiliated to the national society but operate quite independently.

John Walsh, who chaired SWM between 2011 and 2015 opened the proceedings by recalling the experience of his own relative with Downs Syndrome and how things had changed for her over the years.

Locally over those 20 years there had been a great growth in the services provided by the society, delivered by many of those in the room as volunteers, organising clubs, events and conferences, working in the shop , driving the minibus, accompanying people on holidays.

All of this has been largely funded by the work of the Mencap shop in Catherine Street, to our knowledge the only charity shop in the city wholly owned by a charity and entirely staffed by volunteers.

Anne Trevett, who has written and produced the 40-page illustrated history, with the support of fellow former trustees Margaret Strange, Susan Strong and Nigel Scott, said that the aim had been to have a lively and readable account of the work of South Wilts Mencap.

During the first two decades of this century this included creating two new clubs for younger people, an inspirational music group, the setting up of a holiday scheme, unique nationally, supporting the development of community sports officers, providing opportunities for family carers to support one another, undertaking innovative work at the hospital to make sure that staff understood how best to help vulnerable people and much more.

“We have tried to be honest, reflecting our failures alongside many successes” said Anne. “Our aim was both to celebrate our achievements but also to offer some inspiration and perhaps some wisdom to the next generation of people leading our much loved local charity.”

Copies of the booklet are available in the Mencap Shop, by emailing anneinbemerton@gmail.com or by phoning 01722 326261.

There is no charge for the publication but donations are welcomed.