A historic west London charity can do more to support adults with learning disabilities – thanks to new funding from the capital’s biggest independent grant giver.
Bishop Creighton House, in Fulham, was founded more than 100 years ago in memory of former historian and Bishop of London Mandell Creighton, and today runs services for older people, disabled adults, children and young families.
The charity has received a £74,500 grant from City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charity funder, to employ two learning disability outreach co-ordinators.
They are leading activities including advice and support, creative workshops, health and wellbeing sessions and social events for learning disabled adults from across Hammersmith & Fulham.
City Bridge Trust Chairman Giles Shilson said: “For over a century, Bishop Creighton House has been at the heart of its community in west London, doing sterling work providing services to support vulnerable adults, older people and children.
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“This project will help people improve their skills, boost their health and wellbeing and become more independent, enabling them to enjoy the social connections which are so important to good quality of life.”
Activities being offered under the scheme include Tai Chi, gardening sessions and art and craft workshops, along with advice and support on issues such as mental health and housing, social activities and telephone befriending.
The charity says its services to support learning disabled adults have been needed more than ever as a result of the disruption and uncertainty caused by the pandemic.
Bishop Creighton House Outreach Co-ordinator, Joe Robins, said: “COVID has been hard on all of us but for people with learning disabilities it’s been particularly overwhelming. It goes without saying that everyday practicalities such as shopping, medical appointments and managing prescriptions have become significantly harder to manage.
“However the effects of continuously changing advice as well as the strong language being emitted from various media sources have compounded the sense of confusion that many learning disabled people experience on a daily basis.
“Social contact is absolutely key and something as simple as having a nice chat, taking part in a social activity or learning a new skill can have a really positive impact and make such a difference to people’s lives.”
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