Two charities that provide services to people with learning disabilities and autism, Larkfield Hall Ltd, which trades as Pepenbury, and Hill Park Autistic Trust Ltd have announced they are to merge this month.
Pepenbury, based in Pembury, Kent provides residential care, supported accommodation, day service activities and support in the community for people with a learning disability, autism and complex needs.
Hill Park Autistic Trust, based in Erith, Bexley, supports people on the autistic spectrum by providing residential care and one-to-one support in the community.
Subject to Charity Commission agreement, the merged organisation will be known as Larkfield with Hill Park Autistic Trust Ltd. All services will trade under the name of Pepenbury.
Pepenbury’s chief executive, Roger Gibson, will take up the same role in the merged organisation. Trustees from both organisations will unite to form a joint board of management with Graham Shaw as chair of the expanded board.
“Both organisations are committed to providing person-centred services for people with a learning disability and autism, that give people choice and control over how they live their lives,” said Gibson. “Bringing the two organisations together will strengthen the new organisation and open up opportunities to deliver a full range of support services especially for people on the autistic spectrum, across North Kent and South London, in the future.”
Rosemary Bridgland-Colbridge, the chair and a founder of Hill Park Autistic Trust added: “Pooling the wealth of knowledge and experience both organisations bring will ultimately benefit people with a learning disability and autism and provide opportunities for an increased range of services delivered locally.”
