History

As a charity we’ve supported disabled people to live fuller and more independent lives for seven decades.

Our founder Leonard Cheshire, a former RAF pilot, laid the foundations of our work today in May 1948, when he took a dying man into his home and nursed him by himself.

Leonard Cheshire residential home

Since then we’ve always worked with disabled people to develop and improve the services we offer. Today we use technology and innovation to develop new services but at our heart is always a determination to offer people the best possible support to do the things they tell us matter. That was Leonard Cheshire’s aim when he founded our charity and it remains our aim today.

We are a charity supporting disabled people in the UK and around the world to fulfil their potential and live the lives they choose.

We work for a society in which every person is equally valued. We believe disabled people should have the freedom to live their lives the way they choose, to have the opportunity and support to live independently, to contribute and participate fully in society. That belief is at the heart of everything we do.

For over 70 years, we have supported disabled people in many different ways, this includes providing care in:

  • people’s own homes
  • supported living accommodation
  • residential homes
  • day centres
  • respite services

This takes an enormous workforce with a multitude of specialist care skills as well as the leadership, management and support functions across a team of over 7,000 staff in the UK.

We make a difference to the lives of thousands of people by supporting them to develop skills through employment, volunteering and digital inclusion projects.

We campaign alongside disabled people to bring about changes for the better, and to challenge ignorance and unfairness in society.

Internationally, we are part of a Global Alliance of Leonard Cheshire charities which works to improve the lives of disabled people in 54 countries.