Style Acre empowers adults with learning disabilities and autism across Oxfordshire to live with independence and choice. Across Oxfordshire, people share homes with friends in 37 supported living houses, discover new passions in 3 welcoming day hubs, and connect with their community through personalised support — all while growing in confidence and independence.
This year Style Acre are celebrating 30 years of making a difference. 30 years of providing supportive, creative and dynamic environments for people with learning disabilities and or autism so they are valued as equals, can fulfil their potential, and live the life they choose.
The charities story and its name began in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell at a house called Style Acre, built in 1904. The house was privately owned until after the 2nd World War when it was acquired by the mental health authority. In 1985 the house was purchased by two forward thinking individuals, Val Pounds and Shirley Abell who right from the start ensured dignity and empowerment were at the heart of their management plans.
In 1992 a group of parents set up a charitable company called Friends of Style Acre to help raise money for the house. In 1995 the owners announced they intended to retire and sell. Friends of Style Acre wanted the house to continue so they set about raising money and on the 1st March 1995 Style Acre Friends became the proud owners of Style Acre house and had taken on responsibility for the welfare of twenty-two adults with learning disabilities and the charity Style Acre was formed.
Style Acre now supports over 270 adults across Oxfordshire in a range of supportive and creative environments including 5 social enterprises where their Work Programme provides volunteer and work opportunities for the people they support.
People can also access sessions at Wantage Market Garden through the Gardening Project, where people learn a range of gardening skills that benefit physical and mental health and get involved in the Ways to Wellness programme that brings wellbeing and wellness to the forefront in a fun and accessible way.
Style Acre is governed by a voluntary board of 10 Trustees. One Trustee, Sarah Nye who sadly leaves the charity this year after 15 years says “I am very proud to have been given the chance to be part of this family. I have been humbled to see how important home-life is to our Style Acre family and, how supportive and caring they are to one another. Our support staff and volunteers give a great example to follow. Together with the administrative staff they work tirelessly and selflessly to make a difference to the lives of those they support.”
Chief Executive Chris Ingram says “It has been a privilege to work for Style Acre over the past 10 years. We have had a wonderful year of 30th celebrations including our Big Picnic in the summer, our celebrating 30 years art exhibition and most recently starting our fundraising challenge of walking the Ridgeway. I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you. As a charitable organisation, we depend on the ongoing help from our supporters, and we really wouldn’t be where we are today without you. A big thank you to anyone who has supported us, in any way over the years.”
You can play your part in supporting Style Acre by donating today or by taking on your own fundraising challenge to help them reach their target of raising £30K in their 30th year. Helping Style Acre to continue making a difference and providing great support for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.