About Us
The Waltham Forest Disability Resource Centre first opened in 1988. Disabled people who were living in the Borough of Waltham Forest worked with Social Services to provide adults with physical and/or sensory disabilities a Centre where they could learn new skills, promote independence and healthy living trought various activities, to be chosen and managed by themselves, making it unique in the way it is run and the facilities it offers residents of the borough.
Part-funded by Social Services the DRC, a registered charity, is run by a Committee elected from the service users of the Centre as a registered charity. The Centre provides support staff and has adapted minibuses to transport users to and from the Centre and other venues.
Membership is made up of adults who live in Waltham Forest living with physical and/or sensory disabilities.
Who is the DRC for?
The DRC is for people who want to learn, join in with others in the community and go forward with confidence and pride. The Centre aims to assist people with disabilities to develop themselves and make the most of their lives. It supports those who wish to return to employment by facilitating training and work experience.
What does the centre offer?
The centre offers a varied programme including exhibitions, advice sessions and a variety of activities every week including I. T., art, photography, keep fit, ethnic minority groups, dressmaking, gardening and much more.
We hold occasional weekend and evening activities and visit other venues on a regular basis.
Practical support is offered by a team of workers trained to assist with service users . Specialised equipment is available including Braille equipment, adapted computers and induction loops. Sign language interpretation is available on request.
Volunteers and staff
The DRC has a group of volunteers who give their time to various projects, including the fundraising necessary to help us expand our services.
The DRC employs a small number of permanent staff the majority of whom are themselves disabled. The Training scheme targets people with disabilities between the ages of 16 - 64 who are either registered disabled or self declared as disabled and provides a salaried post enabling them to train whilst at the same time providing the centre with the clerical, administrative and support work it requires to run smoothly.
Opening hours
Our opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm
