Our impact
Why we exist
We exist to provide a safe space in the community, and work with the wider community to address disabling barriers and make Westminster more inclusive. We know from our members that Caxton is often the only opportunity for them to take part in accessible activities, make friends, and be independent outside of school.
Who we support
We are the only youth club of our kind for learning disabled and autistic young people aged 11-25 in Westminster. We also support their families. Each year at least sixty local families benefit from respite, and young people develop invaluable social and personal skills.
Impact report
Every year we take a look back at the impact that Caxton Youth Club has had and the marvellous milestones we’ve celebrated with our community.
Testimonials
What people say about us
I think I’ve made friends at Caxton. Eli (youth worker) showed me a picture of a fire alarm, and that helped me feel less worried. I’ll put my ear defenders on.
Caxton provides huge help to us all. The service makes a real big difference and he absolutely loves attending. It has given him his own independence away from us.
I feel more confident talking to people – I feel my job is important and I am making a difference. I feel proud of myself. My mum is also proud of me.
Case study
Kaleb’s* Caxton Journey, as told by his Mum:
“When we first came to Caxton I thought, this is exciting, this is great, this is an adventure! It was always excitement – he never came bored from you.
He came once a week to Caxton, every Wednesday evening. It was a blessing to know that his dad and I had some time to ourselves, and that was nice. It was a respite.
Kaleb loved going bowling, baking, doing art in sessions. Going to the cinema. He enjoyed the computer corner and Caxton’s sometimes held a disco. I remember he went to Wicked the Musical with Caxton. He loved it – he still talks about it.
I think he got on very well with Floyd. When I collected him or dropped him at the minibus you could see that they were getting on very well, Floyd reacting to him and him reacting to Floyd. I wouldn’t say a match made in heaven but…somewhere close to it!
I think developmentally the youth workers really helped him a lot.
I think he learnt to understand a lot more about people at Caxton. Apart from school, it was his only interaction with other children or young people. When he was at home, he never really used to leave to meet other young people, hardly ever. But with Caxton, we got the feeling he was interested to go there, and he met other people. He got that at Caxton.
Caxton has made a lasting difference in Kaleb’s life; meeting people, understanding everybody is unique, understanding about the different needs of other people, nobody’s perfect and we are who we are and what we are. Accepting other people, tolerance, communication wise, you definitely helped his curiosity. He had some extra experiences he otherwise wouldn’t have had with the trips, we don’t do any disco at home!”
Support us
Want to find out more about how you can help the young people at Caxton?
