Larches Community

Who we are

“What allows us, as human beings, to psychologically survive life on earth with all of its pain, drama and challenges, is a sense of purpose and meaning” Barbara De Angelis

Our Vision – Our vision is for every person with learning disabilities to be involved and included in community in a meaningful and safe way so they thrive, flourish and soar to new heights.

Do you have the skills and talents to embrace our values and aims and help us grow to become a leader in offering person led services to people with learning disabilities and/or autism?

Larches Community was created in 1995 around the founder’s kitchen table for her daughter and other young people with learning disabilities and autism with £50, huge anger and an abundance of love and passion. Valuing People for Who They Are - Larches Community encourages people with learning disabilities and autism to have high expectations for and of themselves, challenges the limitations that others have labelled them with so that they can be The Best They Can Be! 

What we do: For the past 23 years we have supported and enriched the lives of thousands of people through our “Learning for Life” programme.  “Learning for Life” includes creative arts and educational courses in drama, music, yoga, mosaic, tai chi, cooking for one, relaxation, ‘Safe Space’ emotional literacy, ‘Go Green Go’ recycling project, assertive skills, money skills and laughter club. 

Why we do what we do: It is a sad reflection of how society devalues people with learning disabilities and autism that only 6% are in paid employment.  People need innovative training and specialised support rather than being lonely, excluded and marginalised throughout their lives. We want to combat this and give people the opportunity to have a full and worthwhile life where they are of use to themselves and to the community.

What we intend to do: We have planning consent to redevelop our one storey building to create a basement, ground floor and three floors with 7 flats for homes for Supported Living

The basement will offer a Drama Academy and the ground floor will encompass our Social Enterprise to include a Café, Craft Studio, Brewery Academy vulnerable people to gain employment skills to enable vulnerable people to be more independent. 

We plan to create services that are inclusive so that children and young people learn from each other, regardless of their ability or disability. We encourage everyone to be The Best They Can Be!

“Larches has been an extraordinary influence in our daughter Gabs’s life. She has developed a far greater social confidence through working with other young people with special needs and working towards a target. The end-of-term shows that Larches produces for the participants are a revelation. The quality of the music and the enthusiastic participation of all make for a very warm and happy evening. Gabs has been part of the Larches weekly courses for many years now. It is no exaggeration to say that she lives for what it does - it’s an enormously important part of her life”.

J. J, Gabs’s Dad