The JPK Project was formed in February 2001 as we discovered the need for Residential Accommodation in the East Sussex area for people with a learning disability.

Extensive research and through the Learning Disability Register for East Sussex showed at that time that there were at least 140 people aged between 25 and 50 still living at home and no suitable sheltered accommodation vacancies in the area or plans for the future, for when parents/carers become too old to care or died. In addition it was felt essential that parents had the opportunity to assist with this enormous transition into independent living before a crisis occurred. We also believe that everyone needs a purpose to get up in the morning and lead a meaningful and useful life and therefore The JPK Project aims to provide practical training and work experience on site so that those resident and others, can live a worthwhile and fulfilling existence. We also believe that parents having cared all their lives deserve some modicum of retirement.

In August 2003 The JPK Project became a Registered Charity, which we believed to be important, to further our charitable aims and objectives and to gain support from the community at large.

We have a legally binding Trust Deed and 7 Trustees who are fully committed to realising The JPK Project at the earliest opportunity.

We are fortunate to have attracted the Patronage of Dame Jane Gow, who wholeheartedy supports our aims and objectives.

The Learning Disability Register for East Sussex shows that within the Eastbourne and South Wealden area there are:

* 41 people with a learning disability between the ages of 25 and 50 living at home with their parents (and a further 141 in the rest of East Sussex)
* 103 people with a learning disability without full time day care provision
* Approximately 120 people with a learning disability will be leaving full-time education in the Eastbourne area in the next five years

Research also showed that people were leaving full time education without full time day activities, be that Further Education, Practical Training and Work Experience or Social Experiences. Due to financial constraints, East Sussex Social Services have announced that they will only focus on people with the most extreme learning disabilities.

In the absence of state service provision, the JPK Project aims to provide residential accommodation in a safe environment for people with learning disabilities, enabling them to live independently and with access to meaningful daytime activities, training, work experience and friends.

Why we need this.