In 1993, eleven families got together to start the first club in the Kingston Upon Thames area aimed at young, able-bodied adults with a mild learning disability. The club is an entirely voluntary organisation supported financially by fund raising, donations and grants.
R.O.Y.A.D. became a charity in 1997, and is regulated by the Charity Commission. It is managed by a Board of Trustees, who are directly accountable to the members through an annual general meeting.
Over the past 30 years, the club has evolved as members matured and new ones joined. However, it has remained true to its original purpose of enhancing the lives of its members through developing social, physical, educational and personal skills, which will help them achieve their maximum potential and level of independence in life.
R.O.Y.A.D. members have the opportunity to make new friends and learn awareness and appreciation of others through a variety of collective activities. They have their own Members' Forum through which they influence the running of the club.
R.O.Y.A.D. currently has around 40 active members and is always ready to welcome new people who would benefit from membership and are keen to participate in R.O.Y.A.D.’s activities. For practical reasons, the club focuses on those living in Kingston Upon Thames and the surrounding boroughs. However, this not a hard and fast rule, not least because some of our members move away but remain associated with the club.
Potential members contact R.O.Y.A.D. through a variety of routes. Some get in touch with the club direct. Others are recommended by parents, carers, friends, statutory bodies or voluntary organisations. Why not contact us to find out more.
At R.O.Y.A.D. everyone makes a contribution. Where appropriate, we ask parents, family members and carers to volunteer some of their spare time to helping run the club and its activities.