Work Preparation and Skills Training in Ealing

At Dare to Dream, adults with a learning disability (and people with other disabilities) can build skills, gain confidence and become more independent as they prepare for paid employment.

Who Dare to Dream Is For

Dare to Dream is our employment and skills training programme in Ealing for adults aged 18 and over with a learning disability who want to build their confidence, develop practical work skills and move towards employment. The programme supports people who want to explore the world of work in a friendly and supportive environment.

The programme is ideal for people who want to gain work experience, explore supported work placements and become more confident in a real workplace setting. Dare to Dream is open to adults with a learning disability living in Ealing and surrounding West London boroughs who would like support to take their next steps towards paid employment, volunteering or further training.

What Our Skills and Employment Training Includes

Dare to Dream provides practical employment training for people with a learning disability, with support tailored around each person’s skills, goals and ambitions. Our Employment Development Workers (EDWs) work with you to identify what you would like to achieve and help you take part in training and activities that support those goals.

Daytime sessions run Monday to Friday from 8am to 2pm and include practical work-skills training in areas such as customer service, handling money and understanding workplace expectations. We can also help you develop the travel skills needed to make journeys to and from work more independently.

When you feel ready, our Employment Development Workers can help you find a work experience placement with a local organisation or employer. You’ll receive one-to-one support as you learn the role, get to know your colleagues and become more comfortable in the workplace. We work with local organisations and businesses to provide opportunities for people to gain meaningful experience in real working environments.

Dare to Dream has worked with organisations including British Land at Ealing Broadway, ACER, Boots Ltd, GLL (Better) and the British Heart Foundation. Our training is based at Enterprise Lodge in Perivale, with supported placements taking place with businesses and community organisations across the local area.

How Dare to Dream Helps

Taking part in Dare to Dream can help you develop the practical skills, confidence and experience needed to move closer to the world of work. Through training and supported work placements, you can gain valuable experience to include on your CV while learning how to communicate with customers, colleagues and other people in a workplace.

Our Employment Development Workers understand that starting something new can feel daunting. You’ll have support while you learn at your own pace, practise new skills and become more comfortable in different working environments.

The aim is to help you become more independent and confident while identifying the next step that’s right for you. This could be moving towards paid employment, taking on a volunteering opportunity or progressing into further training.

How to Access This Service

Getting started with Dare to Dream is simple. Email referrals@ealingmencap.org.uk or call 020 8566 9575 and ask about the Dare to Dream programme.

We’ll arrange an initial conversation or visit to learn more about you, the skills you would like to develop and your goals for the future. Together, we’ll agree on a training plan, including the days you attend, the sessions that are right for you and the types of work placements you may be interested in.

You may begin with training at Enterprise Lodge in Perivale, where you can build your skills and confidence in a supportive environment. When you feel ready, we’ll help you explore a supported work placement or volunteering opportunity and continue to support you as you gain experience in the workplace.

Real Stories and Quotes

Marcus joined Dare 2 Dream to get job-ready:

“At D2D I learned customer service skills and money skills. I also made a lot of friends here… At first I was nervous and then I felt more confident, I learned that it takes time to learn new skills. There was always someone there to help me and that made me feel proud and confident.”

He went on to work at International House and later at Mahaba Café, gaining real-world experience in customer service, stocktaking, food and drink preparation, and cleaning.