The Monday Night Club was founded in 2011 by Laura Gill (who has a learning disability and autism herself) so that she could meet her friends and have some fun. Laura has received several prestigious awards for founding the club.
Making friends is not easy for people with disabilities, and young people with learning disabilities are twice as likely not to be engaged in education, employment or training as those without. They are often isolated and spend a lot of time at home with parents, family, carers, or completely on their own. When Laura finally left college and had to build a life for herself, she realised that keeping in touch with friends was essential to her health and well-being.
Laura lives in her own home in Worcester with her assistance dog Prince and cat Spencer. She loves the theatre, acting, art and pantomimes. She loves to travel and has visited the USA, Australia, Italy, France, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Ireland. She believes that people with learning disabilities should be recognised for their individual talents and given the respect they deserve. She has spoken up for, and on behalf of, people with learning disabilities all her adult life.
Laura is the Chair of our Trustees.
Our CEO – Helen Gill BEM
Helen Gill is the Chief Executive of The Monday Night Club — and Laura’s mum.
Like many parents, Helen expected that adulthood would bring new opportunities, friendships and independence. But as Laura grew older, it became clear how few opportunities there were for people with learning disabilities to stay connected, have fun and feel part of their community.
That experience — of wanting more, and not finding it — has shaped everything The Monday Night Club has become.
Working alongside Laura, Helen has helped to grow the club from a small idea into a thriving charity where people come together to build friendships, stay active, and be recognised for who they are and what they can do.
Before joining the charity, Helen worked as a radio producer with the BBC and later in small business marketing. She now brings those skills together with a deep personal commitment to inclusion, helping to share members’ stories and celebrate their achievements.
In 2026, Helen was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to people with learning disabilities — recognition of the impact of a community built on friendship, belief and opportunity.
Awards and Recognition
The Monday Night Club has always been about people — and the difference that happens when people are given the chance to belong.
Over the years, that work has been recognised locally and nationally.
Laura Gill, our Founder and Chair of Trustees, has received a number of prestigious awards, including the Prime Minister’s Point of Light Award, recognising her leadership and advocacy for people with learning disabilities.
In 2018, The Monday Night Club was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service — the highest award given to volunteer groups in the UK and the equivalent of an MBE — a tribute to the dedication of our volunteers and the strength of our community.
In 2026, Helen Gill was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to people with learning disabilities.
Together, these recognitions reflect something simple but powerful — what can happen when people are supported to connect, to grow in confidence, and to be seen for their strengths.
