15 Sept 2025
Hamelin has become an accredited ASDAN member, giving autistic adults and people with learning disabilities new opportunities to gain nationally recognised qualifications.
As an accredited ASDAN member, Hamelin can now offer a wide range of courses and training opportunities designed to encourage greater independence, confidence and employability.
ASDAN is an education charity and awarding organisation that provides courses and qualifications to build skills for life and work. These cover everything from personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education, to practical life skills such as independent living and gardening, as well as vocational tasters in subjects like art and computing. The programmes help people develop personal, social and employability skills while working towards qualifications recognised across the country.
The courses, which are available from Key Stage 2 through to Level 3 will allow people to do the things they want to do, whether that is preparing to live more independently, building skills for employment, or gaining confidence.
This achievement has been made possible thanks to generous funding from KBH Haus, which supports communities through its charitable activities. Their contribution has enabled Hamelin to take this important step in becoming an ASDAN member and expand learning and development pathways for the people it supports.
To mark the occasion, Hamelin held a celebration launch event attended by the people it supports and their families, along with representatives from funder KBH Haus and Richard Holden, MP for Basildon and Billericay.
Sue Wray, Hamelin’s Head of Community said the accreditation was a significant milestone for the charity.
She said: “The people we support will now have access to recognised qualifications while developing their skills. Becoming an ASDAN centre is a key part of our vision to create opportunities and empower individuals to thrive and grow.
“We believe our ASDAN accreditation will bring huge benefits to the people we support, as they can build their skills to follow their life ambitions and goals while gaining qualifications at the same time.”
Richard Holden, MP for Basildon and Billericay, said: “It's so nice to see this positive change happening right in the heart of the local community I represent. A huge thank you for everything Hamelin does, and continues to do, to help some of the most vulnerable in our society. These positive steps give that extra bit of independence and choice in people's lives, and that is what is so important.
“Having Hamelin here at the heart of Billericay gives me a real boost, and it also provides a window into what we need to do as a society to support some of the most vulnerable.”
With this new accreditation, Hamelin looks forward to supporting the people it works with to grow in confidence, gain qualifications that reflect their talents and achievements, and take exciting steps towards greater independence and meaningful employment.