The Leonard Cheshire Foundation was established by Group Captain Leonard Cheshire of Woodhall, VC, OM, DSO, DFC. in 1948, with the first Cheshire home developed for disabled veterans near London, England. Lord Cheshire’s belief was that “all disabled people should have the maximum opportunity to determine every aspect of their own lives.”

Over the past 55 years Leonard Cheshire International has expanded its support to include over 60 countries outside of the United Kingdom. Specialized services for the disabled exceed 250 with a further 140 found within the UK.

These services are largely autonomous having been set up and managed by local citizens. While residential service is still of major focus, services have diversified over the years. Cheshire services now include rehabilitation centres, skills training centres, employment and education programs, independent living programs and community based support services.

While many of the programs receive government funding, especially those in developing countries, others are reliant on voluntary donations from local people and businesses, grants from charitable organizations and their own income generating projects.

 

Leonard Cheshire Disability is a UK-based global organisation working with Cheshire partner organisations in 54 countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe. Together we support 250 independently managed disability organisations that, in turn, support people with disabilities in their effots to secure education, livelihoods, health care, rehabilitation and a voice in their society. We also campaign to change attitudes and improve services.

Our programmes are backed up by our research centre run jointly with University College London, which helps us share good practice and innovations in the area of disability and development.