From our beginnings in 1973 to today, our core purpose has remained. We are dedicated to providing services for disabled people to live a gloriously ordinary life and working together to break down the barriers that prevent equity and inclusion. To celebrate our rich history, we have captured the life stories of people we support through our National Lottery Heritage Lottery Fund-supported anniversary project. This landmark project is preserving learning disability history for future generations, with voices that confirm the positive impact we are having on not only their individual lives but also on society.

One of the standout achievements of the year was the success of our award-winning campaign, My Vote My Voice. This campaign powerfully demonstrated the importance of civic participation and the strength of our collective voice. It was a shining example of what we can achieve when we come together with purpose and passion.

We continue to navigate the significant funding and resourcing issues facing the social care sector. This challenged us to be fit for the future. And, under the direction of interim CEO Belinda Phipps and transitional CEO Guy van Dichele, we have reshaped our operational structure, refreshed our leadership team and begun the work to realign our charity.

Along with longstanding members of our executive team, we also said goodbye to some members of the Board this year. However, we maintained a core group of seasoned Trustees and senior leaders who have played a vital role in guiding us through a year of transformation. To those who have stepped down during the year, we express our thanks.

During the year, we were pleased to welcome Andrew Marsden as our new President. Andrew brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our mission, and we are already seeing the positive impact of his advocacy.

As we approached the new financial year, we were delighted to welcome our new permanent Chief Executive, Kate Terroni. She joins us with over 20 years of experience in the social care sector, with a career that spans operational to national leadership roles underpinned by a passion for championing the voices of those drawing on social care. Her appointment marks the start of a new era, one that will see us continue to tackle the external challenges head-on but where we create long-term stability and growth for our charity.

Finally, a heartfelt thanks to all our supporters and partners for their ongoing support and belief in our mission. Together, we are building a more inclusive future so that disabled people can live their lives to the full.

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