2013 – Expanding further
We expanded our operations to provide supported living services for an additional 89 adults with Learning Disabilities in Rhondda Cynon Taf. We also opened a new regional office in Talbot Green Business Park, Pontyclun.
Our story
While we do not know the exact founding date of Innovate Trust, we do know that our incredible journey began in the early academic year of 1967. Every year, on July 13th, we celebrate our birthday. On this day in 1974, we established the first supported living home in the UK, forever changing the way Learning Disabled people receive care and support.
In 2017, to mark our 50-year anniversary, thanks to funding from Heritage Lottery Fund, Kieran Vass and Georgia Oliver, with support from colleagues and the people we support, researched documents, filmed stories and established permanent records with local archives and museums to preserve our important history for future generations.
Quick fact
800+ Employees
275+ Supported Living Homes
2017 – A new model of social care
In partnership with Nesta, the Welsh Government, Y Lab and Cardiff University, Innovate Trust launched a new research project exploring smart technology and the use of smart speakers for supported living tenants in which we were awarded the Wales Council for Voluntary Action’s Digital Inclusion Award for the innovative and inclusive use of technology.
After the initial research project, the charity expanded this technology to all 197 individuals it supports in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. This is the first known project of its kind.
2017 – Celebrating 50 years of supporting people
To Celebrate 50 years of supporting people we ran over 50 free events for the people supported by Innovate Trust and threw a big birthday bash at Whitchurch Rugby club to celebrate the anniversary of supporting living. Volunteers from the Heritage Project gave a presentation at the event to share what they had learnt about our history.
Innovate Trust also rebranded in our 50th year, working with the people we support and a design team to create a new logo and pick new colours.
2018 – History roadshow
With support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, we spent a year reflecting on this history, researching documents and filming stories and establishing permanent records with local archives and museums to preserve this important history for future generations.
This timeline was created, with thanks to our wonderful colleagues. Kieran Vass and Georgia Oliver, for the History Roadshow.