<p><strong>North Somerset Mencap (NSM) </strong>was formed over 30 years ago and provides support for children and adults with a learning disability and their families and carers during that time.</p> <p>It is affiliated to Royal Society Mencap which is the Uk's largest charity working with children and adults with a learning disability. Although still a charity NSM has recently turned itself into a company limited by guarantee in order to safeguard its members and trustees.</p> <p>NSM owns a residential home in Clevedon which has room for four adults with a learning disability but do not require 24 hour support. Support at the home is given on our behalf by permanent staff employed by Royal Society Mencap. NSM directly manages and maintains the property.</p> <p>### Better Services</p> <p>NSM campaigns for better services, funding and equal rights for our client base. For many years NSM has progressively and successfully initiated and run many summer playschemes some of which are now run by the local authority. NSM still assists in the funding for those playschemes now run by the local authority.</p> <p>NSM organises and runs a Summer Club in the Summer School Holidays and usually a Christmas Disco.</p> <p>NSM initiated a successful Integrated Youth Scheme with Portishead Youth Club and hope to expand this to other Youth Clubs in the area.</p> <p>Local Gateway Clubs are supported and financed by NSM on a request basis. NSM started the North Somerset Advice and Advocacy Service which has now separated into another company.</p> <p>Through the Betty Johnson Allen Fund we give grants to local clients who apply for support for individual projects, equipment or holidays.</p> 2008-08-08T00:05:03-07:00 1 about 2009-05-23T16:52:21-07:00