Social Opportunities

ENABLE Glasgow has long recognised the fundamental importance of providing social opportunities and activities that people with learning disabilities tell us are important in their lives. 

In the decades previous to the COVID19 pandemic, we had been running an extremely popular and varied, service user led social programme.The pandemic had a catastrophic impact on this and it is difficult to over state the detrimental effects this had on the lives of many of our members.

We are therefore more relieved than ever to say that since 2022, our focus has been very much on reviving our social programme. Demand for regular clubs and activities has been higher than ever. The isolation many of our members faced throughout the pandemic and the hardships of the current financial crisis, have underlined the importance of supporting people to make meaningful connections.

Our activities have always been designed to facilitate a social life for people with learning disability; reducing dependence on paid support. Providing access to low-cost, community based activities in an atmosphere that respects peoples' particular needs, has helped many individuals to kickstart a wider social life of their own. We continue to work from and evolve this model of support in response to the needs of our service users across the city.

Our Tuesday evening club at the Ledgowan Halls is busier than ever and we have introduced a popular Thursday lunch club at the Burnbank Bowling Club. We continue to provide regular social actvities, such as dances and the bus run. Keep an eye on our events page and social media for the most up to date details!

Our Social Co-ordinator

My name is Karen MacKenzie and I have been the Social Activities Co-ordinator for ENABLE Glasgow since October 2011. My role takes me across the organisation providing an exciting and inclusive activity programme for our members. This involves working alongside staff and service users within the three supported living services on person centred activities for each individual, creating new links within their community and producing a monthly newsletter for families and carers. On a wider scale I oversee the running of our social clubs, supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, organise various events throughout the year and work with students from Glasgow University on the Glasgow Buddies Project.

My objectives are straightforward; to make people happy - the rewards inspire me on a daily basis.

Having worked as a Civil Servant for nearly 19 years, when the opportunity of voluntary redundancy was offered I decided a change was needed. I had been a volunteer at the Wednesday night club for over a year and knew that this was the best time for a career change. After spending 2 years as an assistant support worker between Balshagray House and Alder Road, and spending some time in Fortune Works, I applied for this post and was lucky to be successful. I thoroughly enjoy all the challenges and rewards this job brings and have had a lot of fun extending the social programme to include annual bus runs, dinner dances and some one off events. I am very privileged to be working with so many amazing people including staff and management teams accross the organisation, volunteers, service users and families.

I am always looking for new and exciting activities to add to our social programme, any ideas or comments are always welcome. I can be contacted by email, karen.mackenzie@enableglasgow.org.uk or contact me at Head Office