Generate was created 50 years ago to support people with learning disabilities and neurodivergent people to have access to services and opportunities, and have their voices heard.
The Heritage project celebrating Generate’s 50th Anniversary was made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage.
Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to collaborate with our members, staff and trustees, past and present to gather the experience people had at Generate and tell their stories.
Greg Wildig started Wandsworth Rathbone back in 1972.
The goal was to help people with learning disabilities and autism stay connected with friends to prevent loneliness and isolation.
The Wandsworth Rathbone society, as it was then know moves to Rathbone House. Over the next few years, the organisation grows to offer community support and group work.
In the video, Sally Warren, one of Generate’s first CEO, talk about the creation of Generate by Greg Wildig.
Greg’s Legacy
by Leon Jordan (Generate member and poet)
A star that will permanently shine
Transcending time
He gave us strength and set us free
No longer questioning our identity
This is Greg’s legacy
He had a vision, equality for us
Was his mission, he gave us strength and set us free
No longer questioning our identity
This is Greg’s Legacy
In May 1998, the Wandsworth Elfrida Rathbone Society becomes Generate, and Generate Opportunities is incorporated as a charity, starting a new chapter in the history of the organisation.
Generate Community Support team was created to provide a tailor made one to one support to promote independence and community integrations.
It may be learning to cook or handling money , or learning how to use transports with a support worker to gain more confidence and learn to manage independently.
The project grew to become Community Connections, a combination of outreach support, creative group learning, sports, well-being activities and social events, to make new friends, find a career, get fit or learn to live independently.
Since 1998, Generate has been running various projects to support people with leaning disabilities into employment.
1998 – 2005: the Opp Shop
Since 2000: Employment Support In work support for people with disabilities
The youth services developed over the years. Initially Youth offered short breaks for children and young people with disabilities and their families.
Today, the youth services offer a few Youth Clubs/ week, a few residentials / year, a varied programme of holiday activities, and a Buddy service for those who need 1/1 targeted support.
Easy Health is an online library of accessible health information with simple words, clear pictures and films. It launched in 2008 at Tate Modern and has been used across the UK to support people who need easier to understand health resources access health information.
This is invaluable to support people understand what is happening to them in order for them to make informed decisions for their own health.
The Bridge was a catering enterprise ran by Generate between .
It provided a unique opportunity for people with learning disabilities to learn work skills in a live business environment. It offered real hands-on experience in a variety of roles: customer care, catering, cleaning, marketing and managing money.
It paved the way for our more recent projects supporting people with learning disabilities into employment.
The project was set up to develop employability skills for 16-24 year olds with learning disabilities.
The Inclusion and Engagement service was created to identifying life, work and speaking up opportunities for people with lived experience of learning disabilities and autism.
It now includes the Health project, including the Easy Health website and Generate Voices, our advocacy group.
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Generate: providing essential support for people with learning disabilities since 1972
020 8879 6333
020 8879 6333