“How can you go from school, from having all these things, to suddenly…nothing?” – Parent

That’s the difficult reality for many young people with multiple disabilities and for families who deal with 24/7 care responsibilities. It’s why parents and professionals started Parity’s services in 1991.

The charity’s mission is: excellence in services and support for people with multiple disabilities, their families and carers.

The 54 people aged 18+ who use Parity’s three day services in Farnborough, Hampshire and in Camberley and Mytchett, Surrey, access our specialist staff, equipment and technologies to engage in chosen activities, build friendships and networks, use and develop skills, use amenities and facilities in the surrounding community and beyond – in fact, do what everyone else is doing. 

Most of the people who use Parity’s services (called students) have profound physical disabilities along with learning difficulties. They may also have sensory impairments and/or epilepsy. Most use a wheelchair. Most use little or no speech, but are able to communicate in other ways. All need a high level of support to carry out most daily activities. When a young person with severe, or profound and multiple disabilities (PMLD), leaves full-time education, they’re left with few services to call on. 

Our staff are trained and our services equipped so everyone using our services can pursue a good quality of life. Our philosophy of equality, dignity and rights for people with multiple disabilities is behind everything we do. We believe that people with multiple disabilities should have as many as possible of the same choices, opportunities and aspirations as others.

Parity students choose and shape opportunities that would be impossible for families or residential homes to provide or sustain. Our students are using more and more of the available facilities, amenities, opportunities and networks in a 60-mile radius, that their peers might take for granted. Our Health and Wellbeing Officer helps by advocating and promoting access to vital health and wellbeing services. 

We must raise £150,000 a year so that our students can enjoy the activities that matter to them, and keep engaging with the services they urgently need. We do this by partnering with local companies and community groups, holding events, generating donations from trusts, foundations, grantmakers and individuals, and running two charity shops. 

The loyal support of our sponsors, donors and volunteers ensures that the students’ hard-won opportunities are never taken away.