working with people with learning difficulties and their families in Islington
History of Centre 404
Centre 404 was founded in 1951 by parents of children with learning difficulties and over the years has built vital services in Islington.
1951
Children with learning difficulties had no right to education. They lived
at home or were sent away to long stay institutions. Desperate parents set
up the Claremont Occupation Centre - North London Parents Group. They met
monthly to "promote the well being of backward children by all lawful
means... including:
1. the formation of opinion
2. improving provision ... and develop understanding ...
3... providing information and advice to parents and carers and help on
care and training. "
1960's
The Group set up clubs for people with learning difficulties run by volunteers in different places in the borough. These provided opportunities for people to do new things, challenging the notion that people with learning difficulties were "uneducable". They became an important way for people to socialise and make friends.
Mrs Stoneman, one of the parent founders and a successfull business woman bought the Victorian building on 404 Camden Road (with money won on the stock exchange - the story goes). A nursery was set up. Kathleen Villars and a team of volunteers continued to visit families in their homes.
1970s
Parents met at 404 Camden Road to socialise and learn about how to help their children develop their potential. Speakers were regularly invited.
From the early days parents got together to campaign for rights and services. Finally, in the 1970s education for disabled children and children with learning difficulties became a right.
Up to then people were either kept at home or sent away to live in long stay institutions, separated from their families and the rest of the community. In the long stay hospitals they lived in de-humanising conditions. Parents in Islington started campaigning for local supported housing provision.
1980's
In the 1980s Centre 404 set up the first supported house for tenants with
learning difficulties.
In the early 1980's we changed our name to Islington Mencap.
1990's
In the 1990s we developed our learning and leisure services and housing. We now support 20 tenants in 6 different houses and flats.
2000 onward
The new millenium saw a change in our organisation's name to Centre 404. Family Support expanded their services and now offer comprehensive information, advice and advocacy support for families throughout all stages of their lives. Social events such as Family Fun Days and outings are always oversubscribed. Training for parents and professionals is also a growing area of service.
Leisure and Learning Services too have expanded their services and now also support adults to access mainstream life with a broader range of projects.
