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Our story

Innovate Trust began its journey in 1967, dedicated to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities.

We made history on the 13th of July 1974, when we opened the UK’s first supported living home, transforming the way care and support is provided to people with learning disabilities, autism, and other additional needs.

Person supported by Innovate Trust in a wheelchair on a stroll around a pond

2018

Preserving our history

For our 50-year anniversary in 2017, we received support from the The National Lottery Heritage Fund to carefully research and preserve our important history.

2018

1967

The student action era

Innovate Trust started as a volunteering project called Cardiff University Social Services (CUSS). This project was open to all Cardiff universities, based at the Joint Students Union Building on Dumfries Place.

At the time, CUSS shared an office with Cardiff Student Community Action (CSCA), now known as Skills and Volunteering Cymru (SVC), our sister charity.

Volunteers played an important role in supporting adults and children with learning disabilities at Ely Hospital. They supported them in going on day trips, learning new skills, and providing company.

1967

1970

Innovate Trust and Cardiff People First retell the story of Ely Hospital

A group of volunteers from Cardiff People First created a radio show in partnership with Innovate Trust.

The show recreates a real-life story from some of the residents at Ely Hospital in the early 1970s.

They were supported by Cardiff Universities Social Services (CUSS), now Innovate Trust and later went on to be supported by Innovate Trust in the UK’s first supported living home.

1970

Quick fact

A team of volunteers
0 Employees
0 Supported Living Homes

1974

The first supported living home

After the success of the early volunteering project, students felt that more could be done to help people with learning disabilities have better independence.

On the 13th of July 1974, a group of 3 CUSS student volunteers and 5 adults with learning disabilities, previously housed at Ely Hospital, moved into 12 Ruthin Gardens in Cathays.

This marked the first supported living home in the UK.

During the day, the group home tenants would spend their time at Trelai adult training centre. The students would attend their lectures during this time.

Supported living and social care would not be what it is today without the pioneering work of a few Innovate Trust student volunteers who cared, and 5 adults with learning disabilities who fought for their right to live in the community.

tenants and volunteers stood outside 12 ruthin gardens, the first supported living home in the uk, in 1974

1974