Learning Disabilities Groups:
Community groups and classes in Lewisham for people with a learning disability
Below is a summary of some of the social groups and classes in Lewisham for adults with a learning disability. For full details and more choices please contact Community Connections Lewisham on 0330 058 3464, open Mon-Fri 9.30am-4pm (*open 2-4pm only on Thursdays). To download the information below please click here: Learning Disabilities Groups – Factsheet
Social Support
Lewisham Mencap
For adults with learning disabilities, their families and carers, including people on the autistic spectrum. They run three groups throughout the week and also a bi-monthly event for young people at the Ignition Taproom in Sydenham. The groups consist of:
- Music, dancing, art, outings etc
- Disco
- Tea & chat
Mencap also offers an advocacy service.
Telephone: Nick on 07759 155177 or Cynthia on 07766 535989
Email: hello@lewishammencap.org.uk
Adult Learning Lewisham
Supported Learning: courses for adults with a learning disability. Most courses are face to face and some are online. Courses offered:
- English
- Maths
- IT
- Creative skills
- Work skills
- Health and wellbeing skills
To enrol on a Supported Learning course, a pre-course assessment will need to be completed. This will include:
- Eligibility check for a concession
- Assessment of skills level and needs
- Discussion regarding the individuals’ goals
- Recommendation of the right course for you
Telephone: 020 8314 3300
Email: adultlearning@lewisham.gov.uk
Website:
Full details can be found online at: https://lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/education/adult/find-a-course/supported-learning-courses-for-adults-with-learning-difficulties
Heart n Soul
Creative arts including music, dancing and art, taking place online and in person at The Albany in Deptford. They run four groups throughout the week. Open to people on autistic spectrum.
Email: info@heartnsoul.co.uk
020 8694 1632
https://www.heartnsoul.co.uk/stayhome
Brighter Horizons Day Centre
We are a fully accessible independent day centre for adults with learning disabilities who live in the borough of Lewisham and the surrounding area. We’re open to anyone over the age of 18 and can particularly support with transition services for young adults. Around a third of our service users are under 30.
Our daily rate is £50 for most people. If you require more support, we charge £70 per day. Timetabled activities which incur substantial costs may be charged additionally. For example, you will be expected to cover the cost of your own lunch if you choose to join our ‘pub lunch’ group. We welcome service users in receipt of direct payment funding and those who are self-funding.
Email: info@brighterhorizonslewisham.org
Phone: 020 8698 8858 | 07702 954233
PLUS
PLUS provides daytime outreach support to families who are caring for someone with a learning disability and works within three Lewisham Council day centres to provide fulfilling activities and new challenges.
Our supported leisure services encourage involvement in the local community through employment and leisure opportunities, these include gardening, keeping-fit, arts and crafts and social group activities such as bowling and rambling. Short breaks and supported day trips are organised for groups or for individuals.
We offer support to develop employment skills, including supported employment in Pretty Little Cupcakes, a social enterprise operating from a coffee and cake shop in Penge High Street and support to access open employment. People also attend our popular cupcakes workshops where they are supported to make and decorate cakes. We also offer Ipad workshops for people with learning disabilities where people can learn about the range of things they can do on a tablet computer.
We support people with learning disabilities in small shared houses with 24-hour staffing. These can be registered care homes or supported living settings. We work with adults of all ages, supporting young people leaving home, people with complex health and care needs, people with challenging behaviours and pre-independence training towards increased independence.
Email: hayleyg@plus-services.org
Phone: 020 8297 1250
Website: https://plus-services.org/
Advocacy Support
Lewisham Speaking Up
Advocacy service for people with a learning disability living in Lewisham. Open to people on autistic spectrum. LSUP provides four service areas:
- Self-Advocacy
- 1-2-1 Advocacy
- Health Advocacy
Based at the Albany in Deptford with some self-advocacy groups sessions online.
Phone: 020 8692 1862
Email: info@lsup.org.uk
Employment Support
DWP
Emily Richardson – Job Centre Plus Disability Employment Adviser
Layla Carter – Job Centre Plus Disability Employment Adviser
Providing support for anyone with a health condition (diagnosed or undiagnosed) to get closer to the labour market, improve well-being or start voluntary work.
They support customers who are on Universal Credit or ESA/JSA and are allocated to a Lewisham JCP.
They provide 121 sessions at the JCP in a private area and support either one off queries or provide ongoing support.
Toucan Employment Support (Learning disabilities/autism)
aims to reduce the social exclusion of people with learning difficulties/disabilities by supporting them to find and retain appropriate supported employment.
With a team of staff who are experts in work readiness and supporting people at work, they offer 1:1 sessions with clients to ensure they have roles that are right for their skills, interests, and needs.
Telephone: 020 3581 9681
Email: info@toucanemployment.org
Website: https://www.toucanemployment.org/
Please note that our team update these factsheets on a quarterly basis. If you would like to suggest any updates, corrections or comments then please contact us at CommunityConnections@ageuklands.org.uk
Last updated: 09/05/2023