Help Us Build a New Home for Our Community

For more than 50 years, HAD - an organisation run by disabled people, has been championing the rights, independence and inclusion of Disabled people across Harrow.

What began as a small grassroots movement has grown into a trusted local charity that supports around 5,000 people every year.

Since 1972, we've helped more than 500,000 people access information, advice, advocacy and the support they need to live independently.

Today, with a tiny staff team and the dedication of our volunteers, we continue to fight for equality, remove barriers and ensure Disabled people have a strong voice in shaping their communities.

Now we're raising funds to help secure our new home - so we can continue protecting the rights of Disabled people for generations to come.

Our Story

HAD was founded in 1972 by Gladys Janes MBE and a small group of Disabled people who recognised a serious gap in support across Harrow.

At the time, there was no organisation bringing together Disabled people with different impairments, and no single place where people could turn for independent advice, support or representation - particularly when navigating the welfare benefits system.

While some specialist organisations existed for particular impairments, there was no pan-disability organisation advocating for everyone. Physical environments were largely inaccessible, attitudes were often discriminatory, and Disabled people's voices were rarely heard.

HAD was created to change that.

Over the decades, our services have grown alongside the needs of our community. As trust in our work increased, local authorities began funding HAD to deliver vital services that empower Disabled people to exercise their rights and live independently.

In 2000, HAD became both a Registered Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee, strengthening our ability to support local people while remaining true to our founding principle: Disabled people should have a leading voice in decisions about their own lives.

More than half a century later, that principle still guides everything we do.

Our Mission

We work to create a society where Disabled people enjoy equal rights, opportunities and independence.

Our mission is to promote inclusion and equality by:

• Ensuring that Disabled people have access to relevant information, advice and support

• Providing support that helps Disabled people make informed choices.

• Delivering high-quality services that empower people to live independently and access their rights.

• Giving Disabled people a strong voice to influence decisions and campaign for the changes that matter most.

• Working with communities, organisations and decision-makers to remove physical, social and attitudinal barriers.

• Ensuring Disabled people are consulted on policies and decisions that affect their lives and futures.

Looking Ahead

Our work is far from finished.

Demand for our services continues to grow, and every year we help around 5,000 people navigate challenges, secure support and protect their rights.

To continue this vital work, we’re raising funds to secure a new home for HAD - a welcoming and accessible space where disabled people can continue to find expert advice, practical support and a community that understands.

Our new home will be much more than an office. It will be an inclusive community space where disabled people can meet, socialise, build friendships, take part in activities and share their experiences and ideas.

We want to create a place where disabled people feel safe, valued, included and empowered - a place that truly belongs to the disabled community.

Your donation, however large or small, will help us move closer to achieving this vision and securing a sustainable future for HAD and the people we support.

Please support our campaign and help us create a new home for HAD's community. Every donation makes a difference. ❤️

Together, we can ensure HAD continues changing lives for the next 50 years!

Click Here to Donate - Be a Part of HAD's Future