The chief executive of a disability charity says he hopes to maintain the quality of its services despite greater pressure on funding.

Jaspal Dhani took over as chief executive of Harrow Association for Disabled People (HAD) three weeks ago, replacing Angela Dias, who left the organisation after more than five years

The charity provides advice for disabled people across the borough as well as running key services such as support for independent living, employment training and sign language interpreters.

Speaking to the Harrow Times about his plans for the future, he said the charity will have seek out money rather than waiting for handouts.

Mr Dhani said: "The days of organisations relying on local government funding are behind us and we have to think of ways of generating an income so we can provide the services people rely on.

"There aren’t any specific areas which we need to focus on because people priorities are going to be different.

"We have to look at umbrella services which are independent living for disabled people, training opportunities and campaigning for disabled people’s rights."

Mr Dhani previously worked for the UK Disabled People’s Council, which campaigned and lobbied on behalf of disabled people across the country.

HAD is a hands-on charity with a local focus, running the Red Brick Cafe in High Street, Wealdstone, which offers people with learning disabilities the chance to gain work experience and learn to live independently.

Mr Dhani admitted he was impressed with the organisation and its relationship with the community.

He added: "HAD is a very healthy organisation and it has incredibly committed workforce it has fantastic support from its volunteers.

"I think some of the biggest challenges for voluntary organisations like HAD in the funding of services. We are comfortable and my main aim is to maintain the high standard of those services.

"If we want to do that we have to come up with a business plan for the future so we can almost become self-sufficient."