THE BEDFORD AND DISTRICT SOCIETY FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

Registered charity 218689 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as BEDFORD MENCAP, SPARKLE CLUB, THE BEDFORD AND DISTRICT SOCIETY FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND ADULTS

We support people with learning disabilities in the Bedford area.Also incorporated within Bedford Mencap is Sparkle Club, a weekly social club for adults with learning disabilities in Bedford.

Objects

1) THE RELIEF OF PEOPLE WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY IN PARTICULAR BY THE PROVISION OF HELP AND SUPPORT FOR THEM AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES, DEPENDANTS AND CARERS, AND TO PREVENT LEARNING DISABILITIES FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT AND TO ADVANCE RELIGION AMONGST PERSONS WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY.2) TO PROVIDE OR ASSIST IN THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR THE RECREATION OR OTHER LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEED THEREOF BU REASON OF LEARNING DISABILITY WITH THE OBJECT OF IMPROVING THEIR CONDITIONS OF LIFE."LEARNING DISABILITY" MEANS ANY DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY OF THE MIND, AND ANY ASSOCIATED CONDITION HOWSOEVER CAUSED AND WHETHER MILD, MODERATE OR SEVERE.

Area of benefit: BEDFORD, KEMPSTON, AMPTHILL

The charity’s charitable objects and area of benefit, quoted from its governing document as held on the Charity Commission register.

Causes: Disability · website · Get email alerts

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that unrestricted funds are held at the upper end of the charity's policy range, equivalent to approximately nine months of annual expenditure. However, the Chair's report notes that funding remains a serious ongoing concern and highlights challenges in securing suitable venues for activities.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 4 of 6 completeness components.

In its annual return the charity told the Commission it is also regulated by: Ofsted (Office For Standards In Education). This is the charity’s own declaration; it is not a rating and has not been verified by the Commission or by this site.

Policies the charity declares

In its annual return the charity told the Commission that it has the policies listed below. This is self-declared: it is not verified by the Commission or by this site, and it is not evidence of how a policy works in practice.

• Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
• Complaints handling
• Complaints policy and procedures
• Financial reserves policy and procedures
• Risk management
• Safeguarding policy and procedures
• Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
• Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
• Social media policy and procedures
• Volunteer management

Register events

• Received assets from another charity (10/01/2025) — per the register’s event history; asset transfers typically record mergers or reorganisations.
• Received assets from another charity (21/04/2023) — per the register’s event history; asset transfers typically record mergers or reorganisations.

Trustees · trustee networks

• Deepesh Lad
• Laura Sherwood-King
• Lauren Steels
• MIKE BONNEY · trustee of 3 other charities

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Bedford · Central Bedfordshire

Income and spending

Common questions