About

Our Story
It was something to be embarrassed about. Like it was your own fault and you chose it. It was a skeleton people tried hiding deep in the closet. And because it was so under wraps, there was little or no opportunity for learning disabled children, to enable them to develop skills and become successful adults

And that’s why Helping Hand extended its helping hand…

1975

A group of parents in Hackney, North London, see that there is a lack of services available to develop the skills of their learning disabled children. They want their children to have a better quality of life and despite the stigma associated with it, they set up a Parent group to develop services.

1976

Founders conduct a survey of local schools to assess the need and are surprised to find that 10% of children in mainstream schools have special educational needs. This encourages them to develop their services further and they set up a Registered Charity called Helping Hand UK

1976 & 1977

 Founders undertook Open University courses to  familiarise themselves with  learning disability, management of Charities etc.

1996

Built portacabin on purchased empty site to be used for full time day activities for learning disabled school leavers.

1978

​A weekend club opens and later expands to a full evening and weekend programme.

1978-1981

Helping Hand receives two Lottery Awards over six years and develops two new services, ‘Reach Out’ to encourage outdoor sports and environmental activities; and ‘Hand in Hand’ a support system enabling people with learning disabilities to develop their independence skills.

1990

First residential home for learning disabled women opens, to the excitement of parents and clients.

1993

Following the success of the Ladies’ home, Yad Voezer opens its second residential home, this one for men.

1995

Helping Hand receives Investor in People award, the first local organisation of its kind to receive such an award attesting to the high calibre of the organisation. As the organisation's activities expand; the need for a purpose built centre becomes imperative. After much research, and to clients’ and our great excitement, a suitable site for day centre purchased.

2001

Helping Hand is contracted by London borough of Hackney to provide Supported Housing services for a group of women with learning disabilities in premises owned by Industrial Dwelling Society.

2005

After much delay, building work at day centre finally started.

2006

Reacrredited by Investors in People, third time running!

2011

At last! Helping Hand moves into its purpose built day centre situated at 9 Amhurst Park, London N16 5DH. Clients now benefit of a Snoezelen sensory room, garden, as well as many other new activities and opportunities.

2020

Helping Hand employs a new project manager to continue expanding its day centre projects and improve opportunities for clients.

2021- 2023

Major developments in opportunities available in Day Program

2023

4th Home opened for group of high functioning learning disabled young men

Our Vision

We have a vision. We believe  that our users with learning disabilities can exceed beyond our expectations.

We aim to ensure that all adults with learning disabilities can access our services and become their best, or even better than their best. 

To provide work opportunities and vocational training.

We would like to expand our residential services and purchase premises in the countryside where our members are able to work in horticulture and engage with animals.

Our Vision

Zelda Landau

Founder & Director

Neil Spitzer

Trustee

Alex Singer

Trustee

J Springer

Trustee

C Landau

Assistant Director

J Kohn

Day Centre Manager

T Goldman

Acting Manager

S Chikwature

Registered Care Home Managers