How can we make Croydon’s social scene truly accessible?

Participants at the Devoted & Disgruntled Workshop at TURF

People with learning disabilities have as much of a right to go out to socialise, party and have a good night out as the rest of us. Yet there are longstanding and pervasive boundaries that stop this from happening. Or at least makes it far more difficult than it should be.

At Club Soda we are continually fighting these barriers to try to create an accessible and inclusive social scene in Croydon. However, there is only so much we can do without systemic change in local venues and organisations. Adjustments need to happen across the board. It should not be left to projects like ours or people with learning disabilities having to advocate for themselves.

On November 25th 2021 we invited local learning disability organisations, local venues and representatives from Croydon Council to get to the bottom of what needs to be done to shake up the status quo in Croydon’s social scene.

You can read our report here:

We are looking for a Leisure Link Project Assistant

We are looking for a Leisure Link Project Assistant

The Project Assistant role is for an adult with a learning disability to join the Club Soda team. You will help the Project Manager run the Leisure Link project in Croydon. 

Leisure Link is a group for people with learning disabilities and supporters who meet once a month to talk about arts and leisure: things they have done and things they are looking forward to.

Members of Leisure Link help to produce a monthly newsletter, which:  

●    Shares reviews, top tips and recommendations for events, services and venues in Croydon

●    Displays a list of useful arts and leisure services in Croydon for people with learning disabilities

●    Celebrates and promotes inclusive events and activities across Croydon

●    Features a fun map of Croydon showing popular local venues that are highly recommended 

●    Provides useful access information for all venues and events that we list

The Project Assistant will be employed by Club Soda on a three year contract. 

The job is for 8 hours a week.

The salary is £4,600 a year, paid monthly. 

You will be allowed 5.5 days annual leave year (includes Bank Holidays)

Download the job pack here.

If you have any questions about the role, please get in touch either via email at rachael@clubsoda.org.uk or by telephone on 07309 750 285.

We are looking for a Leisure Link Project Assistant

We are looking for a Gig Buddies Project Assistant

The Project Assistant role is for an adult with a learning disability to join the Club Soda team. You will help the Gig Buddies Project Manager and Coordinator run the Gig Buddies project in Croydon. 

Gig Buddies Croydon matches adults with learning disabilities to volunteers who have similar interests. They go to events together that they both love. Gig Buddies was started by a Brighton based charity called Stay Up Late. In 2017 Club Soda was chosen by Stay Up Late to start a local Gig Buddies project. We are the only Gig Buddies project in London. Gig Buddies makes sure that people with learning disabilities don’t miss out on a social life by helping people to make friends.

The Project Assistant will be employed by Club Soda on a three year contract.

The job is for 8 hours a week.

The salary is £4,600 a year, paid monthly.

You will be allowed 5.5 days annual leave (days of holiday) per year (includes Bank Holidays)

Download the job pack here.

If you have any questions about the role, please get in touch either via email at cherilyn@gigbuddiescroydon.co.uk or by telephone on 07426 805 478.