LATEST NEWS

Anyone for tennis? Hombre, remember to bring a sombrero, a pair of caracas and a false mustache! The Tex Mex themed tennis tournament at the Winchester Racquets and Fitness Club last month was a huge success and raised much needed funds for Field Lane. We are so grateful to Lisa and Michael, who’s daughter lives in one of our supported-living projects, for organising the event and everyone who took part and donated. A big thank you from all of us here at Field Lane 🙏🏼

Sue Boswell, our new director of finance tells us about her first six months with Field Lane When did you start working with Field Lane and what attracted you to the role? I joined Field Lane at the beginning of March 2026 as Director of Finance, taking on responsibility for the Finance, HR, and IT functions. My professional background is rooted in the charity sector, having previously worked across a range of organisations, including a hospice, education and wildlife chariti

Photo credit: CPG Photography, at Field Lane's Lambeth Palace supporter event It is with sadness that we have learned of the death of Timothy Hornsby, who was a trustee of Field Lane for many years, acting as vice-chair for several of these years. He was very supportive of Field Lane and made a great contribution to our charity. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

Delia (not her real name) was referred to Andrew Provan House (APH) three years ago. She had a 6-week-old son. In her early 30s, Delia was forced to leave her mother's home for her own safety and that of her child. She suffered depression, anxiety and panic attacks. She also lacked life skills and had little experience of managing practicalities such as budgeting and paying bills. In addition, she struggled with parenting. With the help of her support worker, Delia started

Aisha (not her real name) arrived at Andrew Provan House (APH) as an unaccompanied child over 17 years. She was 23 weeks pregnant at the time, had limited English skills, and no family support. She was very uncertain and anxious. Social services helped Aisha during her move and with her immigration process. As a vulnerable young woman in a strange country, Aisha found it extremely challenging to communicate or open-up to the staff. However, over time, she developed a friendsh

We recently met up with another of our new trustees, Funbi Matthew, and asked her about joining the Field Lane Board of Trustees. How long have you been a Trustee for Field Lane? I joined the Board of Trustees in February 2026. Although I am still in the early stages of my trustee journey at Field Lane, I have already attended Board and Quality & Development Committee meetings, which have given me valuable insight. What has stood out to me is the breadth of experience across

Everyone loves to chat, but some people need to do it differently. At Field Lane we like to challenge everyday notions about what communication is, and we don’t rely on just talking. Communication is about giving and sharing information in a way that is easily accessible. It's also about listening. In addition to learning disabilities, many of the people we support have other challenges, such as being non-verbal or they are autistic. Finding alternative ways to communicate an

Enjoying a game with housemates, around the kitchen table. This week is Learning Disability Week. Led by Mencap, the week is all about making sure that people with a learning disability are seen, heard and valued. At Field Lane, we challenge common misperceptions about what people with learning disabilities can and can't do. Our aim is simple, to help the people we support to live fulfilling, independent lives.

Our person-centred approach enables the people we support to communicate personal choice. Many of the people we support at Field Lane have profound, complex and multiple learning disabilities, and different ways of processing sensory experiences. As part of our approach to care and to support better mental health, we use sensory-based activities and intensive, mirrored interaction therapies. These therapies help manage emotions, foster social connection, and create a sense of

Many of the people we support enjoy expressing their thoughts and feelings through arts & crafts. May is Mental Health Month, a time to raise awareness of the impact of mental health on our lives. At Field Lane we prioritise good mental health as part of our approach to care. We support people with learning disabilities; some are also autistic and have other behavioural challenges. We encourage activities that benefit mental health and help the people we support to find posit

We went to meet our new trustee, Konstantina Papadopoulou, and asked her about joining the Field Lane Board of Trustees. How long have you been a trustee for Field Lane? I joined the Field Lane board as a trustee in February 2026. I'm still in the early stages of finding my feet, but I'm bringing my background in real estate services to bear, looking at how my experience can best serve Field Lane’s mission. Why did you choose Field Lane as the charity you wanted to get involv

Easter is a time to celebrate new life. That’s why we see lots of new life symbols at this time of year, especially eggs, chicks, flowers and rabbits. Chocolate eggs are a more recent tradition, and one we all love! Wishing you a happy Easter, from all of us here at Field Lane. #happyeaster #chocolate #eastereggs

It is Easter week, Holy Week, the most important time in the Christian calendar. It's a time when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is a celebration of the triumph of life and the love Jesus has for us. From all of us here at Field Lane, we wish you a joyous and peaceful Easter. #caringforpeople #holyweek #easter

The start of March heralds longer days, as well as plants and flowers waking up. Having an outside space is so important for the health and wellbeing of the people we support. Maintaining the gardens at our supported living projects is a priority; they offer a sanctuary and a place of respite for the people in our care. Having full use of a garden offers a safe place in which to develop new skills, relax, and to have fun. The physical activity of gardening offers a sustainabl

We’re going to the zoo, zoo, zoo… What a brilliant time we had at Colchester Zoo! Adventures like these provide so much stimulation for the people we support, helping to develop confidence, as well as being a really fun day out.

Last week we celebrated was Pancake Day. It’s the day for mixing, stirring, tossing and catching pancakes! An age old tradition, we’ve been making pancakes for over 600 years, marking the feast day known as Shrove Tuesday, before the the start of Lent and 40 days of fasting. Pancake making is a popular activity, especially for the people we support, when everyone can join in. It’s a great way to learn cooking skills, which helps build confidence and independence, as well as b

Who doesn’t love a pantomime! We went to see Beauty and the Beast at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, oh yes we did… We even met up with some of pantomime characters. It’s experiences like these that make a world of difference to the people we support. A small donation could help us to fund other, similar life-affirming activities.

It's Christmas party time at Field Lane As we approach Christmas Day, we want to say a big thank you to all our supporters. We really do appreciate your continued support of Field Lane. With your help we have been able to make a positive difference to the lives of the people in our care, enabling them to become more independent and to lead fulfilling lives. As we celebrate the birth of our saviour, we are truly grateful. May his peace and love surround you. We wish you a happ

It is with sadness that we’ve heard of the death of Jeremy Lamb, who was CEO of Field Lane for over 20 years, from 1992 to 2014. He leaves a great legacy, having built solid foundations during his time at Field Lane. Under his leadership the charity grew in strength and reach, helping more vulnerable people and enabling them to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. We send our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Linda and to his family. May he rest in peace.

Inspired by Dickens. Made possible by compassion. At Field Lane, we believe everyone deserves a safe Christmas filled with dignity and light. This year, we’re sharing A Christmas for Carole — a story inspired by one of the women we’ve supported at Andrew Provan House. Her name has been changed to protect her identity, but her story represents the strength and courage of many people in our care. The Ghost of Christmas Past There was a time when Carole’s Christmases were silen