This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the inspirational tenacity of our pioneering founder Elizabeth FitzRoy, more than 60 years on from when she set up our first ever service in Hampshire.
When Elizabeth FitzRoy’s son Michael, was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome, she was horrified to be told that he would fare better locked away in an institution. Elizabeth was strongly against forcing Michael to live in what would have been a prison. She knew back then what seems obvious to us all today, how important it was for everyone to be able to live in a safe, loving and supportive home where we thrive and live the lives that we choose. But not everyone agreed with her.
Elizabeth went into battle. She joined forces with other parents of children with learning disabilities. She was determined that Michael should get the education and choices that other children had. She campaigned up and down the country, passionate in her belief that people with learning disabilities should lead ordinary lives and have the support they need to fulfil their potential.
As Michael got older and flourished, Elizabeth decided to do something about the institutions where so many people with learning disabilities were expected to live. She pioneered the idea of family-sized homes that enabled people with learning disabilities to receive individual support in a comfortable environment.
In 1962 her dream became a reality when Donec, a small children’s home on the Hampshire-Surrey border, came up for sale. Undaunted by the cost of the house and the scale of the project, Elizabeth raised the money through contacts and fundraising, and Donec became FitzRoy’s first ever service.
Sixty years on, demand for these homes and services is bigger than ever, and FitzRoy now supports more than 800 people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health issues in over 100 homes and services across England. The values shown by Elizabeth FitzRoy remain the values of FitzRoy today – we see the person, we are brave and we are creative – and this threads through everything we do.
Philippa was six years old when she came to live at Donec and she celebrated her 65th birthday at home there last year.
Phillipa’s sister Caroline said: “Donec has always been a very happy home for Phillipa, thanks to the love and dedication of the staff.
“Phillipa lives such a fulfilled life at Donec, from annual holidays to theatre outings to wrestling matches! Now she has reached her 65th year, she is content with taking life at a slower pace.”
