Kisharon, Langdon and Norwood have launched a joint initiative to evaluate the Jewish community’s learning disability care offering.

The three largest Jewish organisations in the sector will work together to develop a joint strategy to facilitate the best possible provision of essential services for the Jewish community.  The aim of this important collaboration is to create more opportunities and better outcomes for individuals with learning disabilities in the Jewish community.

Kisharon Chief Executive Richard Franklin said: “While each of our organisations has its own distinct ethos and caters to a different need in the community, what we all recognise is the importance of prioritising the people we support in their relationship with the services on offer. In committing to this ground-breaking co-operation between three of our community’s principal learning disability support services, we continue to put people with learning disabilities and their experience at the heart of our decision-making.”

Langdon Chief Executive Neil Taylor said:  “Building on the positive relationships that exist between the organisations, this is an exciting opportunity for us to consider the potential impact that future collaboration will have on meeting the future needs of young people and adults in an increasingly challenging environment.”

Norwood Chief Executive Bev Jacobson said: “Individuals with learning disabilities have higher expectations for their lives than they did ten years ago. This has led to an increase in demand for our services at a time when there is less funding and a shortage of accommodation. We can solve this complex challenge far better together than we can each on our own.”

Kisharon, Langdon and Norwood welcomes contributions from people with learning disabilities, their families and members of the wider community to its consultation on a joint strategy and is asking them to contact Cordis Bright at researchcoordinator@cordisbright.co.uk should they wish to do so.

About Kisharon

Kisharon was founded in 1976 to provide an education for children with learning disabilities.

Today, Kisharon offers education, employment opportunities and housing support to people with a range of learning disabilities in the community. Its services comprise Tuffkid Nursery, Kisharon Free School, a Further Education College, as well as a number of social enterprises including Kisharon Gifts and Homeware, an Adult Employment Service and over 30 Supported Living schemes.

With an annual turnover exceeding £7m, Kisharon requires £2.3m of contributions each year from the community towards the gap in funding and to safeguard the running of its day-to-day services.

About Langdon

Langdon was established in 1992 to enable Jewish people with learning disabilities to lead independent and fulfilling lives, providing them with places to live, and supporting them to find and secure work, and socialise as a community within their local community. Today, the Langdon community is made up of over 180 people, living in supported accommodation in over 60 properties in Manchester, Edgware and Borehamwood.

With a dedicated employment service, its goal is to ensure the young people we support have the same opportunities as their peers to experience the satisfaction that comes from a good day’s work and the chance to enjoy a full social life.

About Norwood

Norwood is the largest Jewish charity in the UK supporting our community’s children and their families through challenging times and offering a life time of support for those with learning challenges

Founded in 1795, Norwood is one of the UK’s oldest charities and the only Jewish charity to enjoy the Patronage of Her Majesty The Queen.

Norwood’s annual turnover is £31.5m, one third of which comes through voluntary donations. Norwood’s services run from  55 residential, supported living and family centres across London and the South East supporting 2,000 individuals with direct intervention,  and, for each of these individuals, Norwood also supports their parents, siblings, grandparents, teachers, schools and community groups to ensure that everyone in our community has the chance to thrive.