About T-21 Charity

“To provide employment, develop life skills and build independence for young adults with Down’s Syndrome in a welcoming and supportive community environment.”

Providing opportunities
There are around 40,000 people in the UK with Down’s Syndrome. While the condition affects an individual’s learning abilities, it does not limit their aspirations, hopes or ambitions.

That’s why we have established a thriving community café and learning centre that will provide these young people with meaningful work, access to training and skills development, and the opportunity to socialise in a friendly and supportive environment. We want our young people to be fully involved in running the cafe, and to take pride in its growth and success.

Life-enhancing experiences
There are so many benefits of this approach for our young people. They will be able to put into practice everything they have learned at school and college. It will benefit their mental and physical wellbeing, helping to build confidence and independence, while giving them the opportunity to widen their experiences and fulfil their potential.

Embedded in the community
The café is located in the village of Easton-on-the-Hill, Northamptonshire, just outside Stamford, in former primary school buildings. The café project has been enthusiastically welcomed by the village community, and it has become a popular meeting place for local people, as well as a magnet for cyclists, walkers and other visitors.

T-21 is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), which has been registered with the Charities Commission since 2018.

Our stated aim is “to provide meaningful work opportunities and social interaction for young people with Down’s Syndrome in the wider Peterborough area”.

T-21 was established to meet the needs of the adult members of the Peterborough Area Down’s Syndrome Group, which was founded in 1998. We recognised the challenges our young people faced in finding their place in the world as they reached their teenage and early adult years. Like all young people, they needed friendship and support, but also the opportunity to gain new skills and enjoy social interaction, both in the workplace and the wider community.

Our plan is to run a village café staffed by young people with Down’s Syndrome. We also hope to partner with local businesses and educational institutions, to ensure the highest standards of performance in all our operations.