About Us

Grapevine helps people with learning disabilities to get the life they want - to make their own choices and be part of their community. We want to reduce the isolation that so many people with learning disabilities experience. Too many people spend their lives in residential and day care. Grapevine helps them make connections and have a life in the ordinary world. Everything we do is based on our understanding that: 

A good life is a life that grows and changes - it has memorable moments and lots of challenges. For too many people with learning disabilities, relationships and activities stay the same - often for decades

Connections matter - Grapevine supports people to build relationships and networks with people who aren't just paid to care. Many people with learning disabilities don't have the support of strong networks.

Everyone has something to offer - people have talents and abilities and Grapevine can help them to find other people in communities who will welcome their contribution. Too often, people with learning disabilities are just seen as having needs.

We need the chance to learn from our mistakes - most people with a learning disability are stopped from having interesting experiences because others worry about the risks.

Often, paid professionals think they know what's best. But at Grapevine, we stand together with the people we support - we don't take over. We stand behind people and try to see the world through their eyes.

Grapevine is successful because of our passion. We believe in what we do and we believe in what people with learning disabilities can do

History

Grapevine was set up in 1994 as a project of Coventry and Warwickshire Co-operative Development Agency. We separated from CDA and became a charity in our right in 2004 but kept the co-operative ethos. Grapevine is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. We have a Board of Trustees half of whose members have learning disabilities. They are responsible for the governance of Grapevine.   

Our funders and partners include the Equality and Human Rights Commission, British Institute of Learning Disabilities, Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, Big Lottery, Lloyds TSB, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Coventry City Council and the Primary Care Trust.