Who We Are
We were founded in 1985, when Janet Wiltshire, general secretary of the Disabled Christians Fellowship felt prompted by God to start providing day care with activities for people with various disabilities. We were initially known as ‘The Disabled Christians’ Fellowship Centre’, or ‘The DCF Centre’ when abbreviated. In 1996 we became a charity in our own right with a new name – The DCF Premier Workshops Trust. In 2006 we moved to our current premises in Filwood Park, Knowle West, a building with fantastic facilities and a great garden including sensory plants, a pond and fruit bearing trees and bushes. We adopted the working name of Haven Day Centre in 2016, (although still registered legally as DCF Premier Workshops Trust). In June 2021, the charity became a Charitable Company, limited by guarantee. Our new Charitable Company is known as Haven Community. This is a formal change with the Charity Commission and with Companies House but does not have any impact on the day-to-day operation of the organisation or its employees
Haven Community provides a stimulating environment, offering a variety of activities to adults with additional needs, (who we refer to as members), such as restricted mobility, sensory impairment and other disabilities.
What We Do
We work with our members to develop existing skills and gain new ones that empower their independence and boost their confidence and self-esteem whilst at Haven Community and in the wider community.
We encourage our members to focus on their abilities and to undertake activities that are fulfilling and interesting to each individual. This helps each person to keep active, socially engaged and mobile.
Through our activities and occasional outings, we aim to ensure that our members have the same opportunities as everyone else, enjoying social interaction, having new experiences and challenges.
We feel it is important to challenge assumptions about disability and demonstrate what is possible. We never set limits on any person’s individual potential.
Our Vision and Values
We aim to provide quality care in an environment that is clean, comfortable and safe. Our values include empowerment, choice, independence, inclusion, equality, rights, respect, excellence, innovation, confidentiality, compassion and spirituality. We work with respect, dignity, privacy and in partnership. Being kind, caring, creative, proactive, friendly and fun is very important to us too!