Meet Our Charity Partner: Heathrow Special Needs Centre

Heathrow Special Needs Centre (HSNC) is an incredible charity located only a couple of miles from our Heathrow HQ. 

They welcome members of our local community from the age of 5 years old who are living with disabilities and special needs. These include multiple or profound learning disabilities, physical and mental disabilities, and those recovering from a stroke or other serious conditions like dementia. 

Calling the facility a ‘centre’ doesn’t truly do HSNC justice, as it’s actually a farm featuring stables and animal enclosures, as well as a large vegetable patch and beautiful sensory garden. You’ll also find picnic areas with riverside views and a tea room that acts as a vital hub for the local community. The entire site is wheelchair-friendly and accessible for all.

Why their work is so important

The centre is a safe space for people with special needs to socialise and enjoy spending time. Visitors can take part in gardening and horticultural activities, such as growing vegetables and planting flowers or they can feed and look after the many animals there including donkeys, horses, goats, sheep, and rabbits. 

For those with disabilities and special needs who want to enter the workplace, HSNC also offers work experience. This allows them to gain vital skills and boost their confidence in a supportive and friendly environment.

Perhaps most important of all however, is that the facilities, activities, and placements are completely free for visitors to enjoy. This means members don’t need to worry about costs in order to enjoy some downtime or gain beneficial work experience.

How we help support them

HSNC is run independently by a team of incredible volunteers and doesn’t receive any guaranteed income. This means they’re funded by donations and charitable giving, general fundraising, and occasional grants. 

Our support helps to provide a little security and peace of mind when it comes to funding, so they can continue the important work they do for their visitors and wider community.