Tel: 0333 013 5438
Mon - Fri: 8:30 - 16:30
Sat - Sun: Closed
Free trial available
Get in touchWe are a fun and friendly day centre with a staff team dedicated to enhancing the lives of their customers.
About us
We are a customer-led team whose primary purpose is to listen, find out what makes you happy, and what help you need to achieve your goals across all aspects of your life.
At ECL Harlow we place a strong emphasis on communication, giving you the choice and control to live your life the way you choose.
We promote communication using a variety of approaches dependent on individual needs and preferences including; tablets, smart speakers, and speech app technology, PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), objects of reference, and makaton.
We have an active customer forum which enables customers to share their ideas. The forum is led by customers who support their less verbal peers, capturing their views and being their voice.
We encourage a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure all aspects of a person's life are joined up and the best they can be.
We work closely with schools and colleges to help prepare school leavers for transition from education to adulthood.
We involve families and professionals as appropriate. This can include behavioural support services, social care, community nursing, speech and language, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and existing care providers.
Local community
We will encourage and support you to live as independently as possible in your local community. Part of that is helping you to become familiar with your neighbourhood and take part in community activities that interest you.
At ECL Harlow we are within walking distance of the shops at Staple Tye Shopping Centre with local shops where we often purchase ingredients for our 'shop and cook' sessions. There are also cafes where we practise our budgeting and money management skills, while enjoying a drink and snack with friends.
The town centre is an easy bus ride away, giving us an opportunity to become familiar with using public transport. The town centre offers us a greater variety of shops, plus a library, bowling, and the cinema.
In nice weather we like to visit Gibberd Gardens where we can explore the stunning collection of plants, take photos, and get ideas for our own garden back at the centre.
We are also fortunate to have the sculpture trail in Harlow which often provides inspiration for our arts and crafts projects.
Centre based activities
At the centre our 'shop and cook' sessions are a popular feature. Customers often take their ingredients home to practise preparing a dish in their own kitchen and share with family or friends.
At ECL Harlow you will have lots of learning opportunities to help you gain the skills you need to reach your personal goals.
ACL come to our centre and deliver courses in creative arts, performing arts, employability skills, 'looking after myself', and 'find your voice' - there really is something for everyone!
The staff at ECL Harlow are trained in ASDAN and offer focussed sessions in independent living skills, sensory baking, developing communication skills, sensory, horticulture and digital skills.
For more therapeutic activities we offer sensory story creation, sensory experiences, gardening, and arts and crafts.
Who we support
We can support customers with a diverse range of support needs; including those with learning disabilities, profound and multiple learning disabilities, autism, communication difficulties, and health requirements such as epilepsy.
Our site is fully accessible and has facilities to meet the needs of our customers in wheelchairs or with restricted mobility.
We can offer expert care for people on modified diets or that need enteral feeding.
Our tailor-made support plans include communication aids for customers that experience communication challenges, enabling them to make choices, retain their independence and be empowered.
Our dedicated staff team have a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience within care to help every individual meet their daily aims and objectives. They receive training (as appropriate for the customers they are supporting) in:
- Dysphagia
- Enteral feeding
- Moving and handling
- Autism
- Mental Health
- Learning Disabilities
- Communication
- Active Support
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy with Buccal Training
- Objects of reference
- Makaton
- Level 3 award in training and education
We can work with individuals on a 1:1 or greater basis in line with their needs and care plan.
We will review your progress and needs on a regular basis and are able to refer to our in-house clinicians, inclusive employment, and innovation teams to ensure you continue to progress with us.
Find us
Harlow
Essex
CM19 4LU
Facilities
- Sensory room
- IT suite
- Computers, laptops, Ipads
- Smart speakers
- Pictorial communication aids
- Communication aids
- OMI/Integrex interactive projection system
- Accessible garden
- Accessible bathroom
- Hoists
- Changing facilities
