The inspiration for halow came from Harriet, Amber, Laura, Oliver and William, each having a learning disability. Their parents, all friends, came together at the beginning of 2006 concerned with the prospect for their children's future and others like them. Passionate that these young people should lead positive and happy lives, near their own friends and families, in Surrey.
Having travelled the Country, to see how other young adults with learning disabilities were living their lives, they were fortunate to be introduced to Gary Kent - the founder of The Dove Project in Totnes. Gary introduced them to a number of people with learning disabilities and some also with physical disabilities, of varying degrees of severity, who were proudly living in their own, chosen homes. These lovely people were enjoying lives like any other; deciding their own life choices, living independently but with the support of Buddies, had work/education placements to suit each individual's interests and abilities, persuing their own hobbies and with good social lives - giving a structure and purpose to each day. Each one integrating within their local community in every aspect of their life.
Back in Surrey, to help implement their aspirations for halow and to move forward, they advertised for someone with expertise in the Learning Disability/Care Field to become their Project Director. They were blessed the day that Yvonne Hignell replied to that advertisement. Not only did she have the experience halow needed but as much passion and determination to help to ensure that people with a learning disability in Surrey should live the same lives as those they had witnessed in Devon. Luckily at the same time Surrey County Council were at the very early stages of responding to Central Government's policy on Personalisation.
Since the day their children were born each one of the founders, like every other parent of a child with learning disabilities, have worried for their child's future. With halow, and all that it encompasses, we can ALL be assured that they can now have a wonderful life.
