About H.A.D Havering
Our Mission and
History.
H.A.D formerly known as Havering Association for the Handicapped (H.A.H.) was formed in May 1969.
H.A.H was established to meet the needs of People with Disabilities and Carers by providing information, facilities and direct services and to work in partnership with individuals and organisations that share the same aims. In the early 1980s, Mr Whittaker was elected Chairman and with the support of the committee, decided that the Association needed to have its own accommodation and funding.
H.A.D approached Havering Borough Council for the accommodation and the Greater London Council (GLC) for the money. It took about three years for the proposal to come into fruition. The GLC agreed to fund the money to set up the office and the local authority, via the Community Programme, to supply the office. The building has an exciting history starting life at RAF Hornchurch as a dispersal hut which was then relocated in Billet Lane as offices for the Hornchurch Urban District Council and then moved to its present site in Woodhall Crescent by the Community Programme people
(a government scheme using unemployed people).
The furnishing of the hall and running costs were undertaken from money granted by the G.L.C. After the G.L.C. was disbanded the funding was taken over by the London Residual Body then the local authority. The completion of the Hall took place in April 1986. At a Special General Meeting in June 1996, the name of the Association was changed to HAVERING ASSOCIATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
In April 2001, Havering Association for People with Disabilities became a Company limited by guarantee. A variety of programmes and services have been developed over the years according to need and to provide a wide range of activities for People with Disabilities and Carers. The organisation participates in many local events such as Carers Week and Carers Rights Day and information days. H.A.D continues to prosper, develop and adapt to meet the needs of local people living in the community. We are also honoured and proud of the history of our building, during WW2, it was used as a dispersal hut at RAF Hornchurch, and would have been situated near the runways. Crews would have waited inside for the call to man the planes, maybe playing cards, chatting to each other. We celebrated our hut and our client’s Local History stories during May 2017 thanks to the support of a grant from the Lottery Heritage.
Our Trustees
I have the honour and pleasure of being Chairman of the Board of Trustees for H.A.D I have been a volunteer, fundraiser and supporter for many years. Watching as successive managers, 5 in all, have worked to grow the charity into the much-loved
organisation it is today. Having been a community volunteer since age 15, I have worked with many groups of different ages, backgrounds and interests but can honestly say I have never met a more dedicated group than the H.A.D team which I am proud to be associated with.
Pam Light
Chair of Trustees
Neil Thorogood
Treasurer
I have been with H.A.D for about ten years. I started volunteering with the befriending scheme before I became a Trustee. I also volunteer for other charities including One place East a Redbridge Disability charity (Trustee), British Red Cross, RESULTS and My Health Matters.
My passions are volunteering and listening to music, long walks and socialising with friends.
Andrew Longhurst
Ian Rudder
I have been a trustee since 2019, having been asked to join the board by Cheryl Cable, the General Manager at H.A.D. Cheryl dragged me to a number of events to help raise important funds for the charity, then persuaded me to join as Trustee. I have been involved in some of the bigger funding events including the Football match v Spurs Legends and the inaugural Golf day and this years Golf day. By time this goes to print I will have hopefully completed the Ride 60 Bike ride with my
colleague Tommy. From a business perspective, I run a small telecoms company based in central London employee 6 staff. It's very rewarding being involved with the charity, when you actually see the work and effort the staff put in day in, day out to support all the various members.
I am a retired lady and a polio survivor!
I retired in 2017 having worked in Insurance for most of my working life. I decided to look around for a seated exercise class and my investigations brought to the door of H.A.D where I found a fantastic group of people. Whilst my initial participation was purely for the seated exercise I quickly learned that H.A.D catered for disabilities of all descriptions and through my attendance I began to participate in other areas where I felt my role as a client also became supportive to others. I was asked if I would be interested in becoming a trustee and I readily agreed and have continued to participate and support the team ever since.
Linda Treherne
Kristian Croad
I am a Solicitor and have been working in the Havering area since May 2007. As part of my time working in the community I have had the opportunity to see the work and support that H.A.D provide. As Head of Trusts of a local High Street law firm, I was very happy to be approached to sit as a Trustee so that I could provide my knowledge and expertise to the amazing team at H.A.D and give something back to an organisation providing frontline support to the local community.
After retiring in 2012 I have been looking for the right place to volunteer and I spent a year or so at Tapestry (Age UK) but then had to stop due to family reasons. In July last year I was introduced to some staff and clients from H.A.D and subsequently
joined as a volunteer in September 2023. I am very grateful to be invited to become a trustee of such a caring organisation where both staff and clients are a delight to be with and hope I can add some value by joining their board.
Wendy O’Regan
Paul Chapman
I first became aware of H.A.D 15 months ago when I made a donation from a charity football game that I run throughout the year. I came to meet Cheryl and the team, we chatted for a couple of hours and I was invited to become a Trustee.
As I am now retired, I saw this as an opportunity to give something back to the Community. As a Trustee I feel it is important to be as hands on and proactive as possible. I have run a couple of Golf Days, decorated the new Quiet Room and helped the erect lighting in the garden and have even been known to mow the lawn on occasions. It is always rewarding meeting and talking with the Clients of H.A.D.
Christine Smith
Deputy Chair
Meet Luna
I work part time in the H.A.D office, my main role is to make everyone who sees me happy. I think I fulfil my role well!
I like fuss, and I especially like digestive biscuits.
I love being out in the H.A.D garden, there is so much for me to explore out there!
When I am not working at H.A.D I am at home with my human mum & dad and have 3 sisters who all love me so much, and they take me on long walks which is so much fun.
I eventually will be trained to be a Therapy Dog so that I can make more people happy.