The Early Days

Bethphage was founded in 1994 when Donna Werner, an executive of Bethphage in the US (now Mosaic), came to the UK.  After visiting a long stay hospital (institution) that accommodated people with learning disabilities and mental health difficulties, Donna witnessed a person sitting alone, tearing up a magazine into pieces to keep them amused.  Such was her passion to support and enable people with learning disabilities to live in  “Inclusive Communities” where all people have the opportunity to live the life they choose, (Our Vision today) that she spoke to commissioners in Shropshire about the potential for providing UK services.  This move for the people we then supported, was part of the hospital  resettlement programme. Initially managed from the US, Bethphage soon became a free-standing UK organisation supported by our American parent.

Bethphage in the US was established in 1913 in Axtell Nebraska, by a young Swedish pastor, named K.G. William Dahl. He pursued his vision of creating homes for people with epilepsy and other disabilities who were previously kept in prison-like settings called county poor farms. 54 members of the Axtell community donated at least $1 each to help Dahl build his mission.

Bethphage Today

Bethphage is a charitable and specialist provider of support for adults (18+) with learning disabilities.  We provide a diverse range of care and support services for more than 200 adults with learning disabilities and/or autism and mental health needs across Shropshire and the West Midlands.

What We Do

Our support varies depending on the person’s needs, ranging from two hours a week to 24 hours day and night. Support is provided in people’s own homes, their family home, in individual or shared tenancies and out in the community. We support people in small group settings or on an individual basis. Ultimately, Bethphage’s aims are always the same, offering “Person-Centered” support to help people connect with their community through meaningful activities and interests.

Supported Living

Supported Living is a model of service, enabling people to live in their own home, single occupancy or shared with other people, with the support each person needs, whether that’s 24 hours a day or less. Support is person-centred and enables people to be as independent as possible. Each person is a tenant, of the property they occupy, with a tenancy agreement and this provides them with the security to live in their own home with the support they need and have the same rights and responsibilities that other people in the community experience.

Supported Living gives people control over the support they receive, living where they want, how they want, with whom they want, for as long as they want.

 Day Opportunities

We provide some fantastic educational and fun Day Opportunities across Shropshire including crafts, farming and rural, community activities and operate a public library.   Oak Farm, Innage Lane and Our Space are all very different community based services that offer a range of interactive, socially inclusive and exciting opportunities for the adults we support, the local community, and all our volunteers.

Specialist Services

Most people we support have a learning disability and some have autism, mental health needs, a physical disability, sensory impairment, dementia or needs associated with ageing.  We have a fully qualified team that provides specialist support for people who may need a little extra help because of their physical disability, sensory impairment, mental health needs or autism.

With more than 350 trained and dedicated staff we deliver 7500 hours of support each week, we are extremely proud to hold a “Good” CQC rating across all our services in all our domains.

Bethphage has developed into a thriving, user-led organisation and principal point for many people with learning disabilities (and their families and carers) who benefit from our charity’s valuable services.

Our Partnerships

Working in Partnership with a range of highly skilled professionals and organisations – Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Specialists, GPs, Social Workers and others, Bethphage ensures that all the needs of the people we support are met.