Parkstone opened in September 1995 to provide appropriate housing for adults with learning, physical, and sensory disabilities to enable them to live in the area and maintain links with their families.

We actively encourage each service user to live as independently as possible by providing care and support consistent with their individual disabilities.

Situated in a pleasant residential area, Parkstone is close to all local facilities and is just six miles from Southend, three miles from Rayleigh and seven miles from Basildon town centres.

Our experienced, caring staff encourage service users to learn and develop new skills, live as part of the community and lead as full and an active life as they wish.

We know that the more skills an individual learns, the more independent they become and the greater chance they have of being seen as a skilled person rather than a disabled person by society in general. However, our philosophy is that each individual with disabilities has the same rights as any member of society and will be valued as such.

We have a full and varied activity programme at Parkstone. The people we support are given the chance to take part in numerous activities throughout the year, including trampolining, ice skating, picnics, days out to the theatre, swimming, pub lunches, concerts, arts and craft activities and holidays within the UK and abroad.

We are not scared of challenging barriers when we consider that a service user has not been treated fairly – even amongst fellow professionals. This was apparent when we encountered a GP who refused to sign off a service user as fit to fly due to his epilepsy.

After being visited by staff from Parkstone, the GP agreed that his condition presented no greater risk on a plane than it did anywhere else – and gave his consent. Our service user went on to have a fantastic holiday in Spain.

“The service users are so well looked after, I would be happy with a relative of mine living here” – Staff

“The residents are always out and about in the community on various activities, they have a better social life than me” – Carer / Parent