About with Friends’ mission is to give people with learning disabilities the opportunities they are entitled to and to live the life that they deserve. We are made up of permanent and part-time staff, volunteers and valued supporters. We offer support, activities, guidance and care.
These “Who We Are” pages offer you the opportunity to see our staff and trustees, learn a little bit about our ethos and see what our policies are.
Take a minute to find out about the history of About with Friends below. We started from a kitchen table and have grown to a large organisation at the heart of the community in Cromer. We’re proud of this achievement, but we couldn’t have done it without the unstinting support of volunteers, trustees, our staff and of course our wonderful members!
Key moments in our history
Find out how we got here, and where we're going!
Work begins with 9 members and a handful of people around CEO’s kitchen table.
July 2002
Increase to 18 members and receive lottery funding of £5000.
2004
3 year funding from The Lottery.
2005
Move in to buildings on Holt Road – the ‘Base’.
2006
20 members worked on a vegetable garden at Holt Primary School alongside ‘Roots and Shoots’.
Jan 2008
Children’s Services grant awarded to begin working with young people with disabilities through the Short Breaks Pathfinder for 14-18year olds.
June 2008
Support first member to live independently in their own home.
2010
Workskills programme launches.
2010
Children’s Services full grant for Short Breaks with Children, develop work to start working with children from 9years.
2010
Workskills move to own building and increase work opportunities – production workshop created.
2012
Bespoke programme begins.
Sept 2012
Official opening of the catering kitchen funding by a capital grant from Children’s Services.
March 2013
CEO receives British Empire Medal in the New Years Honours list.
Jan 2014
Community Café opens.
March 2014
Community Shop opens.
April 2016
Achieved registration with the Care Quality Commission.
2016
Transfer to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
2016
Workskills move to larger building
2016
Bespoke Service move into custom-made building
2016
About with friends Celebrate 15th year Happy Birthday
2017
