Touch Trust Information

Touch Trust is a pioneering charity that offers unique creative movement programmes for individuals with learning disabilities, those affected by autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), complex needs, behaviour which challenges, and other vulnerable groups in the community. We aim to aid self-development and active life-long learning within a social, creative and nurturing environment. We promote the development of an inclusive society through the provision of creative movement opportunities for those who are isolated and lonely and often denied access to society and the therapeutic arts because of their perceived disability. Celebrating diversity and thereby celebrating the integration of the disabled and non-disabled communities within our inclusive prestigious and state of the art facilities, Touch Trust is a model for community in the 21st Century. Touch Trust is committed to the social model of disability. It is holistic and values personal expression, relationships and happiness. We see each person as a feeling, aspiring “whole” and we use all the senses to establish a sense of worth and enjoyment. Through touch we build up relaxation, positive communication, empathy and well being - essential qualities for any human being to feel fulfilled. This holistic philosophy also builds a positive life for the person with a learning disability, but also the circle of his family. Touch Trust was founded in 1996 and became a registered charity in 2000. Its founder, Dilys Price OBE, an art of movement and dance specialist taught by Rudolph Laban, pioneered the Touch Trust programme in order to address the issue of discrimination and the inequality of people who were isolated and deprived of human rights and from the good things in society because of their differences. It is through the area of expression in the arts that the Touch Trust tackles discrimination. Touch Trust decided to focus on those adults and children with the most profound disabilities.