Learning disabilities
- Services for people with learning disabilities

- Learning disability support organisations

These organisations can provide valuable support and help for people with learning disabilities and their carers living in Croydon.
The main organisations are listed with a brief description below, the contact details are listed altogether at the bottom of the page. Please refer to the websites for these organisations for more information about the services they provide.
Connexions
Provides support up to the age of 25 for young people who have learning difficulties or disabilities (or both) as well as to young people aged 13-19 living in England and wanting advice on getting to where they want to be in life.
Croydon Carers Contactline
An umbrella organisation of three separate organisations, Carers Information Service, Young Carers Support Project and Rethink (Severe Mental Illness) who support carers in Croydon. Collectively they offer a wide range of specialist support for any carer in the borough, such as support groups, free publications, advice, information, advocacy, short-breaks, activities and outings.
Croydon Crossroads
This is the local branch of the national charity. Trained support workers provide care at home for adults and children with a disability or illness to give their carer a break.
Croydon Contacts
Offers supported leisure to young people with disabilities (age 11-18) and their siblings. Also runs a monthly outings club for members who are 18 years and over.
Croydon Mencap
Mencap services include residential, education and employment services, leisure opportunities and individual support and advice for people with a learning disability, their families and carers.
Croydon Voluntary Action
Umbrella organisation which supports, links and provides information services for Croydon's voluntary sector offers an information and advice service.
British Institute of Learning Disability
The British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD) is committed to improving the quality of life for the 1.2 million people in the UK with a learning disability. They do this by:
- influencing policy makers and other decision makers
- encouraging good practice among practitioners from a wide range of disciplines
- helping people with a learning disability take charge of their own lives and become part of an inclusive society
Disability Croydon
Provides support for community projects and social enterprises run by people with disabilities. Their D for Disability Helpline gives information and advice on disability related matters.
Housing support
For more information on this please refer to Housing - Help, Information and Advise and Housing and Support Options.
Leisure
These are some of the organisations that help and provide leisure activities for people with learning disabilities:
- Leisure Link
Whatever you fancy, whether it is art, getting fit, partying, travelling or meeting new people, there is something in this Newsletter for you! - Action Space
Action Space was set up in 1984. It runs visual arts projects all over London, for people with mild to severe learning disabilities. - Croydon Contacts (as above)
- Croydon Mencap (as above)
- Heart n Soul
Working with people with learning disabilities, mainly in the form of music theatre. It is made up of a main company of learning disabled performers who tour professional music theatre shows, both nationally and internationally, and various year round workshop groups including, 'Positive Hearts' and 'Heart n Soul Youth'. - Magpie Dance
Magpie enables people with learning disabilities to take a full and integrated part in the artistic life of the community through dance and the performing arts.
Parents in Partnership
A network of parents of children with special needs, working with all agencies involved with their families.
Respite for carers
If you need respite services please refer to Services for Carers of People with Learning Disabilities.
Transport and travel
Please refer to Travel Services for further information.
Valuing People
Valuing People is the Government's plan for making the lives of people with learning disabilities and their families better. Visit their website to discover:
- papers and links to help local people make Valuing People happen
- what is happening across the country
- who the Valuing People Support Team are and what they do
crimereduction.gov.uk also provides some very useful information, especially on keeping safe.
Contact Details
- Contact name
- Heart n Soul
- Telephone
- 020 8694 1632
- Fax
- 020 8694 1532
- info@heartnsoul.co.uk
- Address
- The Deptford Albany
Douglas Way
London SE8 4AG - Website
- www.heartnsoul.co.uk
- Contact name
- Disability Croydon
- Telephone
- 020 8684 5538
- Fax
- 020 8689 3414
- info@disabilitycroydon.org.uk
- Address
- Room 2.07
Strand House
Thornton Heath
CR7 8RG - Website
- www.disabilitycroydon.org.uk
- Contact name
- Carers' Information Service
- Telephone
- 020 8649 9339
- Fax
- 020 8686 3472
- helenthompson@carerscontactline.co.uk
- Address
- C/o Carers Contactline
Courtyard House
1d Church Road
Croydon CR0 1SG - Website
- www.carerscontactline.co.uk
- Contact name
- Parents in Partnership
- Telephone
- 020 8651 6198
- daphne-jones@ntlworld.com
- Address
- 26 West Hill
Sanderstead
CR2 0SA
- Contact name
- British Institute of Learning Disabilities
- Telephone
- 01562 723010
- Fax
- 01562 723029
- Address
- Campion House
Green Street
Kidderminster
Worcestershire
DY10 1JL - Website
- www.bild.org.uk
- Contact name
- Magpie Dance
- Telephone
- 020 8647 3331
- Fax
- 020 8657 0558
- magpie_dance@ntlworld.com
- Website
- www.croydononline.org/community_information/list-
fse.asp?wtT=5831
- Contact name
- Croydon Voluntary Action
- Telephone
- 020 8684 3862
- Minicom
- 020 8683 7014
- cva@cvalive.org.uk
- Address
- 97 High Street
Thornton Heath
CR7 8RY - Website
- www.cvalive.org.uk
- Contact name
- Connexions Service for Young People
- Telephone
- 020 8401 0301
- Address
- 112 -114 High Street
Croydon
Surrey
CR0 1ND - Website
- www.connexions-southlondon.org.uk
- Contact name
- Croydon Mencap
- Telephone
- 020 8662 9201
- Fax
- 020 8662 9202
- croydonmencap@btconnect.com
- Address
- Croydon Mencap Ltd
60-61 Leslie Park Road
Croydon CR0 6TP - Website
- www.croydon.cswebsites.org
- Contact name
- Crossroads
- Telephone
- 020 8688 4499
- Fax
- 020 8681 6611
- mail@croydoncrossroads.freeserve.co.uk
- Address
- 410 Brighton Road
South Croydon CR2 6AN - Website
- www.crossroads.org.uk