The choice of Don’t Stop Believin’ among the songs enthusiastically performed by the Langdon singers at the start of the charity’s dinner was an apt metaphor for Langdon’s credo.

Helping those with mild to moderate learning disabilities towards independence, Langdon believes in the potential to significantly enhance members’ domestic, social and working lives.

Evidence of the results was the contribution of members to the dinner, which raised £520,000. They included Ben Brahams, a confident toastmaster, and speakers Charlotte Archer, Billie Brazil and James Silver.

Addressing the 470 guests at the Marriott Grosvenor Square, Ms Archer said that had she been told at 19 that her loneliness would end, “I would not have believed you”. Langdon had been a life-changer, giving her an ever-expanding circle of friends and employment opportunities.

To audience laughter, she reported that “every Wednesday, the Langdon hoard descend upon an unsuspecting coffee shop. Every Thursday, it’s the pub’s turn!”

She enjoys her job at a nursery and can now cook, iron and manage her finances.

Ms Brazil said that her health problems, and being in a wheelchair, “doesn’t stop me from achieving my dreams”. With Langdon’s support, she lives in her own flat, works as a personal assistant and uses public transport.

“People don’t understand what it’s like to live with a disability. They make judgments on what they see instead of how it really is. I’ve been called names because I’m different.”

Mr Silver spoke about his job with an electrical equipment wholesaler, acknowledging that before starting work, his social skills had been lacking. But through “interacting with lots of new people daily, I’ve become a much more confident, social and happier person”.

Welcoming guests, Langdon chair Nigel Henry described the charity as “a shining light in our community. Langdon is committed to offering excellence in care and has brought in some changes since our last dinner to fulfil this promise.”

The stories of members’ achievements represented a beginning, not an end. “They will go on to accomplish more, become more independent, grow in their work and establish closer friendships.”

Being diagnosed with a serious illness — for which he has received treatment over the past six months — had made Mr Henry look at the world in a different way.

He had taken “huge strength by seeing how Langdon members on a daily basis find the courage and determination to push themselves to achieve the best they can out of life”.

Mr Henry also said Langdon was working more closely with the other charities in the field, Norwood and Kisharon, to determine future needs. While each would retain their “unique offering”, collaboration would sustain the support to those with learning disabilities.

New Langdon CEO Neil Taylor wrote in the dinner brochure that he knew from day one that he had joined a special charity. He was encouraged by “the life-changing effect Langdon has on members — enabling them to be independent and enterprising — and the considerable potential the charity has to continue offering excellence”.