The Shaftesbury Society

The Shaftesbury Society is a large Christian charity supporting people with a disability and on low income and helping them find security, self-worth and significance.

People with a disability are helped in the following ways.

• Young people with disabilities go to Shaftesbury's special schools or colleges. A wide range of courses is offered and links have been developed with other colleges to allow students to have a wider subject choice and to mix with others of their own age.
• Shaftesbury has a range of accommodation within the community which offers adults with a disability the opportunity to live in a homely environment. Necessary care and support are provided whilst enabling people to live with maximum independence.
• People with less severe disabilities are also supported in their own home. This includes enabling families to take a break for a few days or weeks from the demands of caring for a disabled relative.

People on low incomes are helped by church-based Community Workers in local communities in the following ways.

• They advise people and co-ordinate practical help through a range of problems such as debt, homelessness and unemployment.
• They have time to listen to let people know they matter.
• Some churches work in partnership with Shaftesbury to run community centres, nurseries and day care centres for young and older people.

Shaftesbury has over 50 projects around the country. The Society promotes partnerships with churches, local authorities and many other organizations and relies on donations and other types of support.

 
Checked: May 2006