Claire is the Founder of Little Gate and started the charity in 2013. She is passionate about creating better opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autism.
As a parent of a young woman with a learning disability, Claire became very aware of the limited options available to her daughter as she grew into adulthood.
This was in stark contrast to the opportunities available to her twin brother. Although school provision in this area is excellent this doesn’t continue beyond 19 and, like many parents of children with learning disabilities, Claire became increasingly aware of the ‘cliff edge’ caused by the lack of aspirational provision after the age of 19.
In 2013, Claire and her husband David decided to use the family farm to create a new opportunity to help adults with learning difficulties and autism to gain real employment skills that lead onto paid work through Supported Employment.
Claire passionately believes that paid employment can be transformational and benefits the whole of society.
I want to walk into my town centre and see a workforce that reflects the society I live in; I want to be served by adults with learning disabilities and autism who look like me and my family.