What kinds of support does DABBGL offer to dyslexic people and their families?

DABBGL (the Dyslexia Association of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich & Lewisham) is a local voluntary association that supports dyslexic people of all ages and their families, mainly through information, a helpline, events, and help with education settings. Its site describes help with school and college situations, signposting to home-learning resources, and sections on screening and adults, so it is a good first contact if you live in or near those four London boroughs and need guidance rather than a formal diagnostic assessment. The site does not state fees or membership costs, so confirm any charges when you get in touch.

What DABBGL says it does

The association's stated aim is "helping dyslexic people of all ages by providing information and support." Its navigation and homepage point to these areas:

• Information — a "What is dyslexia?" section and general information for families.
• Screening — a screening section in the site navigation (the site does not describe the format or cost on the page).
• Adults — a dedicated section for adult-related matters.
• Events — including open meetings, such as the one listed for 16 September.
• Volunteering and donating — the association is a charity and recruits helpline volunteers.
• Training — details are directed to a separate Training page.
• "My Dyslexia Journey" — a series of interviews with people who navigated education and went on to succeed with dyslexia.

Help with school and college

The clearest evidence of practical support comes from testimonials on the homepage:

• A parent of a nine-year-old said: "Thank you for listening to me and not treating me like a crazy woman."
• A man in his early twenties said the association helped "sort out the school, and getting me into college and setting me in the right direction," adding that he doubted he would be in the same situation without the support given to him and his parents.

This suggests the association acts as a guide and advocate when families are dealing with schools and further education. The site does not spell out a formal advocacy service, so describe your situation when you contact them and ask what they can do.

Information and home-learning resources

The homepage highlights a Department for Education list of online educational resources for learning at home. The site notes these were identified by leading educational experts, cover pupils of all ages including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and were being offered free at the time of writing. It also cautions that they are not intended to replace a school's curriculum but can help parents support their children's education. A "Click Here" link leads to the resource list.

Events and open meetings

Events are listed as a way to access help and meet the association. The homepage mentions an Open Meeting on 16 September and directs readers to the Events page for details. These meetings are also tied to the Mayor of Bromley's charity support: for 2026 to 2027, the Mayor, Councillor Christine Harris, selected Madlani Cancer Support and DABBGL, with donation opportunities at events through the year.

Contacting DABBGL

• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: the number is listed on the site's contact area
• Donations: via the Mayor's Just Giving page linked from the homepage

If you are unsure whether DABBGL is the right service, start with an email describing your situation (for example, "my child's school is not recognising their difficulties" or "I am an adult wondering about screening") and ask which of their services applies.