Wednesday, 18 February 2026

 David HODGETT (Croydon) (10:05): I rise today to speak about The Local Umbrella, a sensory-friendly and inclusive cafe located a few doors down from my office in Croydon. The Local Umbrella was created to be a safe, accessible, welcoming space for everyone in the community, particularly families, neurodivergent individuals and people living with disability. The Local Umbrella offers affordable, nutritious food and drinks in a calm environment where people can relax, connect and feel a sense of belonging. It is a great space for parents who want to have a relaxing coffee while the kids are entertained with toys, fidgets, books, Lego, board games and drawing supplies. The Local Umbrella also offers inclusive programs and pathways to employment for people of all abilities, fostering meaningful social connection and empowerment. Beyond the cafe itself, The Local Umbrella offers the Umbrella Club after-school program, neurospicy ladies nights and community networking brunches. They support people with disabilities to achieve their employment goals, as well as running inclusive DJ nights and offering ongoing day-to-day social work support. Their focus is simple: to be there for the community. Next time you are in Croydon come along and enjoy what The Local Umbrella has to offer, all while supporting social enterprise and supporting local business.