The Orpheus Centre

Who we are

The Orpheus Centre is a specialist independent college based in Godstone, Surrey, welcoming students from across the country.

We support young disabled adults, aged 18-25, who are passionate about the arts, to achieve their potential and work towards a more independent life.

Set up by musician and songwriter Sir Richard Stilgoe, Orpheus offers personalised study, supported housing and personal care, all on the same site.

During their three years of study at Orpheus, students develop their creativity, gain formal qualifications, and learn independence, life and employability skills for the future.

We are proud to work with many partner organisations to enable students to share their skills with those outside the college, through diverse opportunities such as outreach projects, performances, exhibitions and work placements.

Orpheus is a registered charity and we rely on your support to make our life-changing work with young disabled people possible. Places at the college are local authority funded but in order to develop our site and continue providing activities and opportunities we must raise around £1 million per year.

It is thanks to donations and corporate support that we can fund large-scale projects such as our outdoor gym and multi-use games area.

Who we are

Orpheus believes that disabled people should have the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers. We aim to equip young disabled people with the skills and confidence they need in order to live independent and fulfilling lives.

Vision

Our vision is of an inclusive world where young people with disabilities, a passion for the performing arts and a desire to live and work independently can achieve their aspirations.

Mission

To inspire and empower young disabled students to live fulfilling, independent lives.

Our Ethos

At Orpheus we use the arts as a vehicle to promote learning and personal development. We teach a diverse curriculum that covers the arts, independence and employment skills. We offer a range of qualifications working with awarding bodies such as Ascentis, Trinity College, LAMDA and the London College of Music, as well as outreach programmes. Students learn a variety of skills, from cooking and personal finances to accessing the community and managing personal support.

We work closely with each of our students to enable them to transition successfully from full time education into adult life. We support our students to think about what kind of life they would like to have when they leave Orpheus and an important part of this process are our work experience and transition programmes. Team Teach, Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and restraint are not available at Orpheus.

Patron

Our Royal Patron is HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KCVO.

Our culture and values

Who Are We?

The Orpheus Centre is a charity and college which supports young disabled adults aged 18-25 to learn essential life skills, gain formal qualifications and prepare for future employment.

There are currently 66 students with 21 living on site in Godstone, Surrey. Students come from across the UK and all have a love of the arts.

Started by lyricist and musician Sir Richard Stilgoe, the organisation offers learning, care and development opportunities at the college and in the wider community, working with professional artists, businesses and other charities.

The overall aim is to equip the students with the skills they need to live as independently as possible and to pursue their chosen careers.

Our Values

We work to demonstrate our values every day and we focus on these in everything we do. Our values are to be: joyful, bold, inclusive, resilient and determined and we encourage all staff, volunteers and students to represent these values. We affectionately refer to them as JOY BIRD

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Inclusion is at the heart of what we do and who we are at Orpheus. As well as being one of our core values, it is a huge part of our mission to help young disabled adults thrive every day. 

We have 6 main EDI objectives which you can read more about below. As well as our commitment as a Disability Confident Leader. 

Throughout the year, we host many events and deliver training to highlight the needs, challenges, and celebrations of people from different ethnicities, religions, marriages and Partnerships, families,  ages, genders, orientations, and of course disabilities.