About Canterbury Oast Trust

Established in the mid 1980s by a pioneering group of parents concerned about their children's future, COT literally changes the lives of people with learning and physical disabilities.

We create opportunities for those who would not be able to look after themselves outside a safe and supportive environment. Our aim is to empower individuals to reach their potential, nurture their aspirations, draw out their talents and through this, develop self esteem, independence and a sense of achievement.

Quality of life is enhanced through a real choice of programmes, many of which are genuine commercial enterprises. These projects include a major farm-based visitor attraction - the South of England Rare Breeds Centre. Here those in our care grow plants to sell, learn animal husbandry, deliver catering services and serve at retail outlets. This brings them into contact with the general public, helping to break down barriers and foster a greater understanding of disability.

Importantly, we also care for those who have more profound and severe disabilities. One way to help them is through sensory stimulation which by its nature is intensive and often requires one-to-one specialist therapy.

However, in some cases those with more complex needs are able to access our Rainbow Gallery therapeutic arts and crafts workshop and Harrington College, a classroom unit for teaching computer-assisted programmes, such as life skills, numeracy, literacy and music/drama.

The Trust runs a range of life skills projects which provide training / occupation for both residents and external placements in Farming, Horticulture, Catering, Arts and Crafts, Woodland Management and Woodland Crafts.

In addition to the broad range of life skills projects, COT provides the security of a home. Our 15 homes across Kent and East Sussex focus on family-style living, providing 24-hour high quality care for adults with a learning or physical disability.

COT believes that people with a disability should have the same opportunities as everyone else to enjoy a rich quality of life, both as individuals and as members of the community with opportunities for self-fulfilment and independence.

The self-help ventures that COT owns and operates include:

At Woodchurch ...

* South of England Rare Breeds Centre

* Granary Restaurant

* Falcons Conference Centre

* Rainbow Gallery     * Rainbow Nursery

At Rye ...

* Coterie Tea Room in the High Street

At Aldington ...

* Poulton Wood Local Nature Reserve