Innovate Trust is a Cardiff based charity, which provides support to disabled people. Our main work is to support people with learning disabilities, but we also support individuals such as those with mental health issues and people with physical impairments.
Innovate Trust began as a Cardiff University student volunteering project in 1967. Based at the Student Union in Dumfries Place. In July 1974 CUSS opened the first house, 12 Ruthin Gardens, in premises rented from University College Cardiff, where 4 students lived alongside the five ex-residents of Ely long stay hospital. From 1976 this was carried out in partnership with South Glamorgan County Council. This was the first small ‘Community Group Home’ for people with a learning difficulty in the UK, and we believe the first in Europe.
In 1980 CUSS bought its first property in Hamilton Street for £22,344 with a mortgage loan from South Glamorgan Council. This house is still in use providing short stay respite to young people aged 16 – 25.
The All Wales Strategy for people with learning disabilities was launched in 1983 by the Welsh Office. Examples of good practice provided by CUSS are referred to in the Strategy, and much of the pioneering work of CUSS was incorporated into it. The programme of Hospital closure that has been going on ever since has led the way forward for the rest of the UK.
In 1991 CUSS launched a supported employment agency based on the American model with a separate identity – Quest. This was one of the first in Wales, and later was a founder member of the Wales branch of the Association of Supported Employment Agencies (Wales ASEA). Quest continues to work closely with other supported employment agencies across Wales.
On 14th April 1992, CUSS formally registered itself with the Charity Commission as a charitable company, and this new body took over the work of the previous unincorporated charitable trust, which was formally wound up some two years later on 3rd June 1994.
In 1997, following the ‘Challenges and Responses’ report, CUSS approached the Jane Hodge Foundation and the Bro Morgannwyg Hospital Trust to assist with the development of two new projects to provide short to medium term emergency respite to people with learning difficulties whose lives have gone into crisis. Two purpose built houses were completed in 1997 and 1999. The first in Pembroke Road is operated by Bro Morgannwyg and the second in Rumney by Innovate Trust.
In 2001, following a review of the organisations future strategy the decision was taken to change the name. The charity had outgrown its original identity as a student volunteering project to a £2 million operation with around 112 permanent staff supporting over 200 individuals. The name caused confusion at times as the charity is not part of either Cardiff University or Social Services. The name change also signified recognition that Innovate Trust had become a pan-disability charity.
At the same time, in recognition of our continuing role in student volunteering, we formed a formal partnership with Student Volunteering Cardiff (previously known as Cardiff SCA), with whom we have worked very closely for almost 40 years. We now manage all the staff, as well as running joint training and induction programmes. This partnership is one of the largest student volunteering projects in the UK.
On September 14th 2004 we organised a reunion and celebration of the first 30 years of Supported Community Living for people with a learning disability in Cardiff’s Mansion House.
In September 2003 we opened our first café open to the general public with the support of monies from the European Fund.
In October 2004 we successfully obtained finance fro the European Fund called Equal. This enabled us to fund a trans-national partnership called ‘Equal Shares for All’ working with young people and disabled people.
In 2005/2006 we continued to diversify providing a new social firm ‘Green Shoots Catering’ which employs two individuals as paid employees this project is partly self financing. We also achieved the Investors in Volunteers award and pushed our volunteer numbers past 1000.
In February 2007 Innovate Trust tripled its Cardiff Provision by securing a contract with Cardiff County Council to manage 21 supported living settings across Cardiff and an Emergency Accommodation and outreach service. These contracts will run until at least April 2011.
In September 2007 Innovate quadrupled its supported living services in the Vale of Glamorgan with a contract set to run until at least September 2012.
In 2008 we have relocated and expanded of Social Enterprise Greenshoots Catering and shortly expect to expand our supported living contract with Cardiff by approximately 15%.
Innovate Trust now employs approximately 300 staff and has a turnover in excess of £5million per annum.