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History and Origin

The aim of Lisieux Trust, established in 1984, was opening a residential home, within Sutton Coldfield, for individuals with learning disabilities.  One founder member discovered, through conversations with people at the local church, there was minimal or no provision for individuals with learning disability within the Sutton Borough.  A group of local volunteers convened a Board of Trustees.

 The organisation’s name; “Lisieux” Trust is French in origin and derived from a village in Normandy, France.  It is pronounced phonetically as “Liss-yer”.  This name was selected by the Board of Trustees as it is the birthplace of St Therese; a young woman who dedicated her life to working with disabled people. 

 Board of Trustees

 The governing body of Lisieux Trust is its Board of Trustees. Our Trustees have responsibility for monitoring, evaluating and regulating the management and administration of the charity, in accordance with the organisation’s Mission Statement, its aims and objectives.  

Lisieux Trust Board Members have experience in a variety of working professions, and are united by their desire to create positive change within society.  All 7 active Trustees serve as volunteers.

 Residential Services

 Lisieux House, Birmingham Road opened its doors to eight people with a learning disability in September 1986. 

Lisieux Trust registered with the Charity Commission September 1986; therefore a formal and recognised charity was established.

Concurrent with opening Lisieux House, Lisieux Trust commenced a vigorous fundraising programme and a second residential home, Francis House, opened in 1994.   

Also within 1986, a developer purchased land; building two bungalows to the rear of Lisieux House.   Lisieux Trust purchased one of these properties  and extended its Registration Status with Commission for Social Care and Inspection; offering a home, supported by a paid staff team,  to and additional 4 people with a learning difficulty   

Supported Living 

In 2001, Lisieux Trust opened its first Supported Living project in a flat adjacent to Francis House.  This project aimed to support people within their own home and embark on the first step to greater independence.  Within the first 12 month period, Lisieux Trust opened its second project in Sutton Coldfield.   

The success of both projects influenced Lisieux Trust’s decision to provide additional Supported Living accommodation. To date, Lisieux Trust provides Supported  Living to 41 adults with learning disabilities, across 13 projects 

Funding for tenancy-based accommodation is provided via Lisieux Trust contracts with Birmingham, Solihull Staffordshire and Walsall Local Authorities. 

With the exception of one property, all other homes are leased to Lisieux Trust by local businessmen and women.  Lisieux Trust is a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation and is proud of its ethos of developing services around individuals’ expressed requirements.    

Disability Information Resource Centre 

Disability Information Resource Centre, is located on Sutton New Road, Erdington.  This project is staffed by a Centre Manager, Information Officer, a Volunteer Co-ordinator and  a variety of volunteers.   

The Disability Information Resource Centre (DIRC) is unique in its approach and services to disabled people, families’, carers and professionals within the local Birmingham community and surrounding areas. 

The Centre and provides information and support on a wide range of issues, through a service adapted to meet the requirements of each individual. 

The Centre is a totally free “one stop”, high street, fully accessible service.  The service aims to empower clients with knowledge and information; equipping them with autonomous decision making opportunities regarding all aspects of daily living.  

Service provision includes a fully adapted internet facility, website access, private meeting rooms and a wide range of information and resources. An Information Officer individually supports clients with every enquiry; supported by letter writing, form completion, telephone calls, information leaflets, accessible data bases, quarterly newsletters and signposting services.  The Centre also facilitates training in Deaf Awareness, Disability Equality and Disability Discrimination Act.   

The Centre operates a flexible system allowing choice of contact via drop-in, telephone support, minicom, text messaging, letters, email, fax, face to face, pre arranged appointments/meetings.