We have been working together with individuals, families, communities, the local authority, politicians and the NHS, as well as the private and voluntary sectors for over 70 years to make Harrow a better, more inclusive place for people with learning disabilities to live.
Harrow Mencap started life in 1946, when a group of passionate parents gathered in a little wooden hut in Rayners Lane to fight for the rights of their children.
Jim and Lillian Snell, along with Hilda Drew and the Simcox family came together to offer each other support and campaign for the rights of theirs, and other local children with learning disabilities.
Families, friends and neighbours joined in to form the Harrow Society for Mentally Handicapped Children and started running much needed activities for children and taking groups on holiday.
It is unlikely those parents could have envisaged, seventy years ago, that what they started would grow into the leading campaigning charity and support provider for people with learning disabilities that Harrow Mencap is today.
In 1986 the organisation became a company limited by guarantee. In 2007 we took the decision to move to bigger accommodation in the Harrovian Business Village which enabled us to consolidate our operations, ensure our sustainability and establish a firm base in the heart of Harrow.
Over 70 years old, we are still working hard to persuade the wider community, business, and public services to go beyond the label of disability and to give people with learning disabilities an equal chance.
We are also continuing to provide support and services for many people with a learning disability, their families, and others in and around Harrow through our parent company Community Connex Ltd.
Take a look at our 70 year Anniversary Timeline and find out how Harrow Mencap has developed since the beginning: Harrow_Mencap_70_timeline_display_9.pdf
