This month marks the end of an era as we bid a heartfelt farewell to Lesley Dodd, our Chief Executive, who has dedicated an impressive 12 and a half years to the noble cause championed by Ealing Mencap. Join us for a Q&A discussion as we celebrate the remarkable legacy she leaves behind.
Q: After over 12 years as CEO, what would you say has been Ealing Mencap’s purpose?
A: Ealing Mencap exists to provide essential support and a voice for marginalised individuals, especially people with a learning disability and their families/carers. Ealing Mencap has been striving for nearly 60 years to bring about the change that is needed so that people with learning and other disabilities can fully enjoy their rights, and have the same opportunities to live as independently as possible.
Q: Following on from that, how would you describe Ealing Mencap’s importance to the community?
A: Ealing Mencap transcends being a service provider; we see ourselves as influencers, recognising our ability to make a meaningful impact and advocate for those in need of a voice. This is achieved through active participation in various forums and working in partnerships with other local and national organisations. Ealing Mencap can unite like-minded organisations, fostering collaboration to collectively advocate for the rights and the health and well-being of individuals who require advice and support.
Q: What achievements are you most proud of?
A: I take great pride in all the achievements of our organisation. I am particularly proud of our commitment to actively listening to our customers, allowing us to continuously improve and tailor our services accordingly. We have successfully facilitated enjoyable experiences for our customers, supported independent travelling for people with learning disabilities, and assisted people in gaining employment. I am also very proud that we are the lead partner of the Ealing Advice Service (EAS), a brilliant and successful consortia partnership made up of amazing organisations that make a huge difference to thousands of Ealing residents’ lives every year. I’ve always believed in partnership working and the power of collective action and leveraging the strength that comes from unity. This has allowed us to reach more members of the community and provide support to those that otherwise might have been unknown to our organisation.
While celebrating our successes, I also recognise the need for further action. We are still saying “It’s Time For Change.” While things have moved on, I do find it difficult that after nearly 50 years of working in the field of learning disability, we are still grappling with the idea that people with a learning disability have the same fundamental rights in society as anyone else. I hope one day people with a learning disability and their families will feel this is the case.
In the meantime, this moment emphasises for me the enduring nature of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and reinforces the ongoing importance of Ealing Mencap’s work, mission, and vision.
Final Message from Lesley Dodd:
As I bid farewell to Ealing Mencap after an inspiring 12-and-a-half year, my heart is filled with gratitude for the incredible dedication and support of my amazing staff team. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for their unwavering commitment over these many years.
I want to take a moment to wish Nik Demetriades, the new Chief Executive, all the best in leading Ealing Mencap into the future. I have every confidence that Nik will continue to develop the organisation, providing more opportunities to support the communities we serve.
It brings me comfort to know that Nik is supported by a dedicated board of trustees and a dedicated staff team. Thank you all for your incredible work, and I wish you continued success and impact in the years to come.
Goodbye Lesley, you will be very missed.
