ASL was established in February 2017 because I felt there was a lack of opportunity and choice in Harlow for young adults with learning and physical disabilities in both day care and employment.

In the summer of 2016, I ran a summer club with my friend Andy to gauge interest and see if this kind of service was needed. Within the first week, it was clear that it was. So, in February 2017, ASL officially opened. We started with just two clients attending a few days a week, but it wasn’t long before more young adults joined on a more permanent basis. This led us to move from our temporary space to David Livingstone Church, where we could open five days a week. Alongside our day service, which includes an inclusive drama group, we also started running Bridget’s ASL Café, a public-facing space that provides work-based training and a pathway to paid employment.

In August 2022, after a long tender process, we moved our café from Ware to Stratford. This opportunity came to us through a regular customer who told us about it, and it was a huge step forward for Bridget’s ASL.

We currently employ four people with Down Syndrome or additional needs, and 13 other wonderful young adults with additional needs who train in the café, learning valuable skills that help them gain confidence and independence. We also have eight support staff members who help make all of this possible.

Beyond our day-to-day work, ASL has created a real sense of community and continues offering training and opportunities for people in our community who need it most and might otherwise be overlooked. Seeing how much this has changed people’s lives pushes us to keep growing and offering even more opportunities.

Michelle Tohill
Founder & CEO
ASL Aspire Support Learn CIC



Bridget's ASL

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