We are Leonard Cheshire – supporting people to live, learn and work as independently as they choose, whatever their ability. Led by people with disability we are at the heart of local life, opening doors to opportunity, choice and support in communities around the globe.
Like our founder, we believe that diversity creates a world of possibility.
For 70 years, through pioneering research, care and policy expertise we have supported disabled people around the world in different ways, reflecting what they tell us they want. This includes providing support in people’s homes, Day and Community centres, to supporting individuals with training, employment and access to opportunities. We enable individuals to develop skills through employment, volunteering and digital inclusion projects all over the world.
In the UK, our employment programme “CHANGE100” brings together top employers and talented disabled students and graduates to offer three months of paid work experience. Since its launch in 2014, Change100 has partnered with over 90 employers across the UK to host interns including Barclays, the BBC, Skanska, Lloyds and Taylor Wimpey. Our Volunteering programme “CAN DO” offers exciting opportunities for 16 to 35 year old disabled people to volunteer in their community and get access to sporting facilities.
Internationally, we work alongside disabled people to bring about changes for the better and to challenge ignorance and unfairness in society. Worldwide, we have a global alliance of Cheshire partners, which supports disabled people into education and employment and works in more than 50 countries. We have supported over 26,000 people with disabilities into paid or self-employment in Africa and Asia and provided skills training for over 67,000 individuals.
Currently the charity is led by Chief Executive, Neil Heslop OBE. At the recent celebration Stowe concert for Leonard he said, “As we reflect on Leonard’s remarkable story, it’s been amazing to share a little of our current work. Disability affects us all, with one in six of us being disabled at some point in our lives and as society ages this will increase.
Whether it is education programmes in India, initiatives to half the unemployment gap for disabled people in the UK or providing supported living homes, our work would not be possible without the phenomenal energy and passion of people like Stoics and Old Stoics.
Thank you for supporting us this year and helping us reach more people with disabilities and achieve Leonard’s vision for our world.”
If you are interested in helping us supporting disabled people on their journeys towards independence, wherever they are in the world, please visit our website: www.leonardcheshire.org or contact Emma.Pearce@leonardcheshire.org