WHAT IS SCIP?
Serenity Community Inclusion Programme (SCIP) is a charity dedicated to promoting inclusion, equality, and opportunity for adults with mental health needs and learning disabilities. Our goal is to ensure that every individual, regardless of their challenges, has the chance to participate fully in their community and experience a rich and fulfilling life.
Through fundraising, awareness campaigns, and community partnerships, SCIP helps to provide access to activities that many people take for granted — such as holidays, day trips, social events, and volunteering opportunities. These experiences not only enhance wellbeing and independence, but also help to build confidence, social connections, and a sense of belonging.
Community inclusion is vital for mental health, personal growth, and quality of life. Yet, for many adults with learning disabilities or mental health conditions, barriers such as financial hardship, stigma, and limited support can make participation in everyday community life extremely difficult. SCIP works to break down these barriers by offering practical support and by promoting understanding and acceptance within the wider community.
By enabling people to connect, contribute, and explore new opportunities, the Serenity Community Inclusion Programme helps to create a more inclusive, compassionate society — one where everyone has the chance to thrive.
According to the charity Mencap, people with a learning disability in the UK are facing a mental health crisis: 88% of families/carers said their relative “always or very often” felt sad, and 82% felt lonely because they rarely left home. Nearly a third (32%) of people with a learning disability were reported to be struggling with mental health issues such as low mood and low self-esteem.
DID YOU KNOW
““Disabled adults are 4x more likely to feel lonely than non-disabled people.”
(European Journal of Public Health, 2021)
““82% of people with a learning disability feel lonely.”
(Mencap, 2023)
““Many face barriers such as transport issues, money worries, and inaccessible venues.”
(Gov.uk, 2022)
““36% of adults with learning disabilities say they feel lonely “most or all of the time.”
(Hft, 2022)
Serenity Community Coffee Shop Project
As part of the Serenity Community Inclusion Programme (SCIP), we are developing a community coffee shop that will provide a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone — while also creating meaningful opportunities for our service users to learn, grow, and connect.
The coffee shop will give adults supported by Serenity Care the chance to volunteer, gain new skills, and build confidence in a real-life work environment. Volunteers will be involved in roles such as serving customers, preparing drinks and food, handling money, and helping with day-to-day operations, all with appropriate training and support.
This hands-on experience will:
- Encourage independence and self-confidence
- Build practical and social skills useful for future employment
- Reduce social isolation by promoting inclusion and community interaction
- Help raise awareness and challenge stigma around mental health and learning disabilities
Beyond being a café, it will serve as a hub for inclusion — a place where people of all abilities can meet, relax, and belong. All proceeds and donations will go back into supporting our SCIP activities, such as community outings, volunteering placements, and wellbeing projects.
