ORPHEUS CENTRE
The Orpheus Centre has been open since 1998, but its work is much older.  Richard Stilgoe wanted to provide opportunities for young disabled people to participate in music, dance and drama.  He teamed up with Dr Michael Swallow, who started Share Music, and put on a week's course for young disabled people, which ended with a concert in Stilgoe's Barn Theatre.  After deciding that was not enough, Richard and Annabel converted their house and grounds into a fully accessible Centre, where young disabled people could live and develop their independence through participation in the performing arts.  In 2000, plans were made to expand the Centre [Richard and Annabel had moved out by now!]

In place of the tennis courts, work began on Centre Court; a development of 12 accessible independent living flats.  Centre Court was opened in 2003, and now houses young disabled people, who want to experience living independently, whilst in a safe and secure setting.  With the Centre Court development came 'Baseline Studios:' these are three fully accessible, state-of-the-art studies; one multi-media suite, one recording studio and one IT lab.