Our Story
And that’s why Helping Hand extended its helping hand…
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.
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
Founders undertook Open University courses to familiarise themselves with learning disability, management of Charities etc.
Built portacabin on purchased empty site to be used for full time day activities for learning disabled school leavers.
A weekend club opens and later expands to a full evening and weekend programme.
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.
First residential home for learning disabled women opens, to the excitement of parents and clients.
Following the success of the Ladies’ home, Yad Voezer opens its second residential home, this one for men.
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.
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.
After much delay, building work at day centre finally started.
Reacrredited by Investors in People, third time running!
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.
Helping Hand employs a new project manager to continue expanding its day centre projects and improve opportunities for clients.
Major developments in opportunities available in Day Program
4th Home opened for group of high functioning learning disabled young men