Our Impact
Canterbury Oast Trust
Visit COT’s Rare Breeds Centre part of our Life Skills programmes.
Our impact
At Canterbury Oast Trust, our impact is best told through the inspiring stories of the people we support.
We currently support 81 adults in our supported living and registered care accommodation services, while our life skills programmes benefit a further 70 external learning disabled and autistic students.
Our supported people are not just participants, they’re contributors, decision-makers, and proud ambassadors. Many are actively involved across our organisation and beyond, including helping shape our new mission, vision, and values, launched in 2023.
Here are just a few examples of their incredible achievements:
Dave, Rachel and Tony take the stage at the AGM
As part of the AQA Unit Award Scheme, several COT students were invited to speak at our Annual General Meeting – and they didn’t disappoint!
- Dave and Rachel proudly earned their accreditation in public speaking by sharing their own stories.
- Tony received his award for designing an engaging PowerPoint presentation, telling his journey visually.
All three talked about their experience moving from residential care into our newest supported living accommodation – a big life change that they’ve embraced with confidence and success.
Milly’s inspiring journey from the farm to the stage
Milly joined COT in 2016 and has since become a passionate advocate for people with learning disabilities. She lives in our accommodation and works as a falconer at Leeds Castle, a passion she first discovered when birds of prey were housed at the Rare Breeds Centre.
Her confidence has soared alongside her career. Last year, Milly presented at the Women’s Institute in Loose, and Canterbury College’s SEN department. This year, she gave a talk for a local school’s Year 7s with an audience of over 250 and inspired some wonderful questions during Q&A.
Here’s how she described her experience at Canterbury College:
“I can’t believe I’m here giving a talk to the students at my old college. When I think of the fact that I was unable to speak until I was 11 years old, I am so proud of myself for how much I have progressed and everything I have achieved.
I hope my talk today has inspired the students to pursue their dreams just like I did.”
Farm students shine at agricultural shows
Our animal husbandry and plants & produce students don’t just learn, they compete! Every year, they showcase their skills at the Heathfield Agricultural Show and the Kent County Show, and their results speak for themselves:
- Graeme, who has been with COT since 1986, won 4th place at the 2024 Kent Show with his “Heavy Metal” hanging planter.
- Jess came 2nd in the long wool lamb class at the 2024 Heathfield Show with a beautiful Wensleydale ewe lamb.
- Ryan placed 3rd with a Jacob ewe in the hill and heath category at the 2024 Heathfield Show.
Grace designs our new logo
In November 2023, we proudly launched our new charity brand, with the winning design chosen by a vote across our staff, volunteers, and supported people.
The winning logo? A beautiful tree and hands design inspired by Grace, one of our supported individuals. Her design received a huge 79% of the vote!
Sara helps hire new staff
Sara played a key role in recruiting a new team member for our accommodation services last year. She not only helped with interviews but made the all-important phone call to the successful applicant!
Here’s what she had to say:
“I can’t wait for the lady to start. I enjoyed interviewing and being involved in choosing who joins the staff team.”
At COT, we believe in creating real opportunities for people to shine, not just in their personal progress, but in shaping the organisation itself. These stories are just a glimpse of the skills, confidence, and community spirit that flourish here every day.
Our impact gallery
