OUR HISTORY
Life Path Trust began with families coming together to support one another. In the early 1970s, Bill Lewis and a group of Coventry parents raised funds for a caravan where they could offer each other a much-needed break from caring. That community effort led to the founding of Coventry Homes in 1973, the charity that later became Life Path Trust. More than 50 years on, we continue to build on their determination to create better opportunities for people with learning disabilities and their families, supporting people to have greater choice, develop their independence and live fulfilling lives.
Bill Lewis - The Caravan
Life Path Trust owes its beginnings in the early 1970’s to a collaboration between the late Bill Lewis (former chair)and a group of parents. Bill, inspired by a report on ‘Midlands Today’ about an innovative Short Breaks service in Northants, followed this up.
It led to fundraising for a caravan where a group of Coventry parents provided respite support by looking after each other’s offspring for a few hours at a time.
Respite House
The caravan became very popular and the need started to arise for respite support to be longer. Coventry Homes Charity was set up in 1973 and rented a house on Dunchurch Highway so that respite could be extended to overnight and longer stays.
During the early 90s we were offered 2 Ellys Road which became our new respite house and still operates to this day as a Short Break service and still provides support to one of the founder families.
Residential Services
The Charity developed into Residential Support when a need was identified for people with learning disabilities who lived at home with ageing parents to be supported when their parents were no longer able to do so. Under the leadership of Ted Rusk and using properties which were made available to Coventry Homes from Midland Heart, Coventry City Council and acquisitions through legacies, the early residential services were registered as Care Homes.
We have been very lucky to have a significant benefactor - a local businessman called Mr A. E. Youell who gave Coventry Homes the Walsgrave Road Site from which we operate today.
Coventry Homes becomes Life Path Trust and Residential Services becomes Supported Living.
In 2000 Gary Bye joined as Chief Executive and it was at this time we changed our name from Coventry Homes to Life Path Trust. In 2001 the Government published Valuing People white paper which set new goals to support people with a learning disability to get homes and jobs and lead fulfilled lives.
In 2001-2002 we changed the registered residential homes into Supported Living Service and registered with CQC as a provider for personal care, following the goals within the Valuing People white paper. Life Path Trust developed a more Person-centred approach, using graphics and easy read to enable citizens to communicate effectively how they wanted to live their lives and have a meaningful contribution to the review process.
Life for the citizens changed away from communal residential support: They became tenants, they had bank accounts, cheque books and their own keys. Each person shopped individually and planned their meals with support to cook.
From 2007-2008 Life Path Trust was able to link with more landlords and Registered Social Landlords to enable more tenancies to be signed for citizens to continue living independently with their own front door.
In the early 2000’s, the Government announced that all people working in the sector had to be trained by new standards namely LDAF - Learning Disabilities Award Framework. It was decided then to found Coventry Training Consortium so we could train our own staff to a high standard which still continues. Life Path was involved in LDAF from 2005.
In 2012-2013, Life Path decided to involve citizens more in the running of the organisation and we developed the Citizens Board, Quality Checkers and involvement in Health and Safety and Recruitment. The Life Path Trust Citizens Board meets quarterly and is a direct opportunity for the citizens to have a dialogue with the Board of Trustees about the work of the Charity and to provide direct feedback via their representatives. The Citizens Board identifies issues which members want the CEO and the Board of Trustees to consider. The elected Chair of the Citizens Board attends every Board of Trustees meeting.
In 2012, we started to bid for services in Oxford and we gained three residential services. Later in 2015-2016 we acquired 2 day services and Oxford Day opportunities.
Further work on accessing Employment and Training Opportunities
In recent years we have been involved as partners (leading on learning disabilities) with Coventry City Council and other organisations including European Social Funded projects ConnectMe and Accelerate.
In 2017, our Chief Executive Gary Bye sadly died unexpectedly. Gary is remembered for his dedication to people with learning disabilities and his unwavering commitment to the citizens and families of Life Path Trust.
In 2018 Diane Perry joined as CEO
2018-2019 Life Path Trust refreshed its look with a new brand and website.
July 2021 - Life Path Trust moved away from delivering Services in Oxfordshire to concentrate on the West Midlands Area.
In February 2023, Adam Hives was appointed Executive Director of Life Path Trust, bringing over 17 years of experience in the third sector, including a previous role as Director of Operations at another Coventry charity supporting people with learning disabilities. Adam brought a commitment to fairness, compassion and ensuring that people have a meaningful say in their own lives. Building on the charity’s history, his focus was on strengthening existing services and developing new opportunities for people to build their independence, develop their skills and play an active part in their communities.
