About Us

Strut in the Community are a unique provider of respite care in Lincolnshire, taking referrals and recommendations from a multitude of professionals as well as from parents and carers.

Strut aims to build children's social skills, independence and self confidence through regular after school clubs and playdays as well as directly supporting their families.

Strut in the Community support young people from the age of 8 up to 19, providing access to social opportunities. Children can feel safe to explore their interests, make new friends, and express themselves within a supportive environment, with all activities being tailored to individual needs and overseen by a highly dedicated care team. Strut's activities personify the every child matters agenda to:

- Be healthy

- Stay safe

- Enjoy and achieve

- Make a positive contribution

- Achieve economic wellbeing

The opportunities that Strut provides help children to blossom into self confident, positive and independent young people. Our services make huge difference to the quality of life for these young people, for whom not feeling accepted and struggling to socialise is often a major problem. In tandem with this we provide families with a much needed break, safe in the knowledge that their child is receiving the best possible care.

History

Strut originated after a two year investigation of needs in May 1981 when an open meeting of parents and professionals decided to raise funds in order to form a charity, which would run as a short-term care unit.

Charitable status was acquired in August 1982, and in December 1982 the director of social services agreed to provide a property if Strut provided the staff and running costs. Strut House at 35 St Catherine's was chosen because of its domestic scale; it is warm and welcoming and ideal to make the children who use it for shorter periods feel at home during their stay.

Opening in March 1984, Strut House cared for over 200 families throughout the county and adjacent areas. In 1999 the board of directors decided that Strut could best serve the families it had originally set out to help by splitting the company. Social services took over the running of Strut House, and increased its care for the children with multiple or complex needs, allowing 'Strut Fund raising' to diversify and provide care out in the community.

After helping an estimated 1000 families Strut House and Strut in the Community continue to provide care for children with disabilities and special needs in and around Lincolnshire.