Pick and Mix

We hope to start up a music and drama session in Spring 2006
... watch this space for more details!

Pick and Mix is a scheme which is being developed by St Albans Mencap to provide adults with learning disabilities a selection of activities from which to choose from.

Qualified and experienced staff are employed by St Albans Mencap to run the sessions. All staff have a Criminal Records Bureau Check and work inline with the Society's policies. St Albans Mencap also actively encourage other members of the community to access the sessions, either as volunteers or as part of work experience placements.

The Society aim to provide sessions in various accessible venues throughout the St Albans District. All of our venues are accessible for people with disabilities.

We aim to provide sessions for 6 full days per week. We currently run Pick and Mix sessions on Monday – Saturday although these sessions are still in the development stage.

Week Day
Activity Sessions

All Pick and Mix Sessions are run on a weekly basis for a period of 12 weeks. After 12 weeks the Pick and Mix Activity is evaluated and changes are made accordingly. New or existing member of the club need to apply for a place on the next series of 12 sessions.

Members discuss and decide what they would like to cook and then purchase the ingredients at local shops. After which members cook the food and enjoy the meal with the rest of the group.

Supervised by an Art specialist, members can recreate the work of a famous artist as well as develop various creative skills using paints, pastels, crayons, water colours, collage, appliqué techniques and needlework. The work is usually shared with friends and family at the end of the 12 week session as a Pick and Mix Art Gallery.

St Albans Mencap employ a professional photographer to assist the group in developing their skills which enables members to use a camera and other film making equipment in a variety of ways. For example, members may use a camera to capture important aspects of their day on film, as well as make mini films or documentaries. Like the Art and Craft group, the work is usually shared with friends and family at the end of the 12 week session as a Pick and Mix Gallery.

This session provides members with the opportunity to make new friends and try out different leisure activities. For example, walking, theatre trips, music appreciation, bird watching and yoga.

This session is held at Butterwick Day Centre, St Albans. The class is led by a Ceramics specialist and provides members with opportunities to use clay in a variety of ways. Sessions may include some exploratory work as well planning, creating and evaluating ceramic pieces that are displayed at Butterwick and, when completed, are available for members to take home.

Weekend Activities

St Albans Mencap provide 3 weekend clubs. At all Saturday Club sessions members help to decide the itinerary of activities which include bowling, cinema, shopping, arts, cookery, horse riding, swimming and many other activities!

Like the week day Pick and Mix sessions St Albans Mencap actively encourage other members of the community to access the sessions, either as volunteers or as part of work experience placements.

This is a weekend leisure club for teenagers and young adults with disabilities. The club runs on a fortnightly basis from St Bartholomews Church Hall, Vesta Avenue, St. Albans.

Alpha P is a club held on alternate Saturdays at Springfields, Smallford Campus in St Albans. The club is for teenagers and adults with learning disabilities who also have physical disabilities.

Alpha C is another weekend club held on alternate Saturdays at Springfields, Smallford Campus in St Albans. The club is for teenagers and adults with learning disabilities who also have challenging behaviour and /or more complex needs.