ECL Harlow Learning Disabilities Day Centre

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 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 offers us a greater variety of shops, plus a library, bowling, and the cinema. It is an easy bus ride away, giving us an opportunity to become familiar with using public transport.

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.

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 we offer lots of learning opportunities to help you gain the skills you need to reach your personal goals.

ACL (Adult Community Learning) 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 team at ECL Harlow are trained in ASDAN and offer accredited curriculum programmes that focus on building skills for learning, employment, and life. Sessions include 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.

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 team have a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience in 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.

Our facilities include:

• 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

At ECL we work with you to identify your goals and put together a tailored plan unique to you. One of our team will assess the level of support you need, and prices will be based on the recommendations, along with how many sessions you would like to attend.

Funding may be available from Essex County Council subject to eligibility.