Our impact
At St Albans Mencap, our impact is measured in people, not numbers. It’s about confidence rebuilt, friendships formed, and finding purpose in everyday life. For many of the people we support, St Albans Mencap is more than a local charity — it’s a community where they feel valued, supported and able to be themselves.
These are some of their stories.
The voice of Bob, a member of Trinity Community Project
Having attending another local day service for 25 years (which closed due to financial reasons), I and several other members were signposted to Trinity Community Project. I started on the 25/7/2018 and soon found it had the same ethos as the service I previously attended. The staff are kind, caring and compassionate. I have been attending for 7½ years and at the moment do 4 days a week.
The staff and volunteers are the heart of the project – they set the tone. You are allowed to be yourself. Being very quiet I get great satisfaction from drawing in pencil and ink. The project gives me an opportunity to engage in an activity which I would not do at home. Also I have enjoyed the many different activities which are interesting and rewarding. I would not experience this without the project.
Attending gives me a reason to live, a purpose in life and positivity to face each day at a time. The staff and volunteers regularly communicate, discuss my interests and concerns, are very supportive and caring – all within the boundaries of mutual respect.
I find my live at Trinity Community Project a tranquil oasis in an unforgiving world. I would not be the same person without it. It is essential to my mental wellbeing.
Written by Bob, member of trinity Community Project.
I started at Trinity in 2018 as the service I was using in Harpenden closed due to lack of funds and rent in Harpenden being very expensive. I have seen several managers while I have been attending Trinity. The current one is Dean Davis who is excellent, very friendly and hands on. There is a family atmosphere at Trinity, everyone is welcome whatever the disability you have you will find friends at Trinity. The groups are the best I have come across while accessing the mental health system in Hertfordshire. My favourite is the cooking group which I really enjoy as I love cooking and baking. I also enjoy art group which I find very therapeutic and relaxing. Recently I have started tea and talk and am finding that enjoyable too. It's good to get out of my flat and breaks up the day, you get to meet nice people and have a chat and I can guarantee you will feel better for attending. I don't know what I would do without Trinity, stay in my flat all day and get bored which leads for me to depression. Thank you Trinity, you make my life full of sunshine whereas without you my life would be full of black clouds.
My name is Mollie, and I am a Team Leader working for a local care provider. I have been supporting my client, who has been attending Trinity Day Centre for the past five years.
My client initially joined Trinity to build friendships and improve his social interaction, and it has been incredible to see how much he has gained from the experience. From the very beginning, he was welcomed warmly and quickly formed friendships that he continues to value and enjoy today.
He genuinely looks forward to attending Trinity each week. The staff are exceptionally friendly, kind, and dedicated—they consistently go above and beyond to ensure all service users feel comfortable, supported, and included. My client feels completely at ease in this environment, which has made a significant positive impact on his confidence and wellbeing.
Trinity provides a safe and accepting space where he can truly be himself. He is free to express himself without fear of judgement, and that sense of acceptance is incredibly important.
There is always a wide range of activities available, catering to different interests. My client particularly enjoys colouring, arts and crafts, painting, and playing Uno, which has become a weekly highlight for him and other service users.
Overall, Trinity Day Centre has had a profoundly positive impact on his life. It has given him not only a place to socialise, but a community where he feels valued, understood, and happy.
— Mollie
Team Leader
Local Care Provider
