Elmbridge Community Link
"We see the person and not the disability"
Founded in 1994,ECL’s role is to enrich the lives of young people (16 years plus) and adults with autism and/or learning disabilities in our local community. They offer a range of activities at centres in Walton-on-Thames, Weybridge, Esher and West Molesey, which help beneficiaries to live happier, healthier and fuller lives. Their goal is to allow members to be themselves, have fun, learn new skills, feel less isolated and make friends.
Members of ECL can access leisure and learning opportunities with the support of experienced charity staff, local trusted volunteers and professional guest speakers. Members who have relatively mild learning difficulty are encouraged to become volunteers within the various projects in hopes of improving their self-esteem and character development. Members gain empowerment, independence, confidence and self-esteem by improving their social and creative skills and integration into the wider Elmbridge Community. As their members are actively involved in planning our projects, they get a sense of ownership which improves their self-confidence. Several members have been able to look outside ECL to take up volunteering roles in the wider community having completed in-project volunteering with them.
Our weekly activities are: Arts and Crafts
Allsports
Befriending Coffee Morning
Board games
Our monthly activities are :
Sunday Music Workshop
Our ad-hoc activities are:
Days Out
In the Community
Our aim to provide low cost activities to ensure inclusivity.
The Charity also offers the families and carers of the members much needed and appreciated respite from their caring duties by offering activities outside the normal day care centre.
ECL network within the community and connect with other organisations for social and community events. Recently, this has included joint fundraising with the Molesey Boat Club, having a stall at Heritage Day, members taking part in the Christmas candle light procession through Walton Town Centre, theatre trips organised with Elmbridge Mencap and Love of Learning and a Valentine’s Dance with One-to-One.
The efforts and achievements of ECL have not gone unnoticed. In 2009, the charity was awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service for its outstanding work.
A special mention must be made of the debt the organisation owes to Elmbridge Borough Council, The Learning Disability Development Fund allocated via Surrey County Council, and the invaluable support offered by successive mayors of the Borough.
Created 15th January 2013. Updated 2021
Elmbridge Community Link benefits from Attend membership, which includes comprehensive charity insurance cover. For more information, or to join, please click here.
