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The History
Spectrum was formed in 1982 as a non-profit making registered charity and Limited Company. Originally named The Devon and Cornwall Autistic Community Trust, it started life at a converted rectory at St. Erme, with office staff housed in a Nissan hut. At that time ten service users were cared for by a staff of seven.
Expansion, due to high demand for services, was rapid. By 2000 the Trust had 21 homes in Cornwall, Devon and Surrey, with over 90 service users being cared for by a staff of some 250 people. The time was right to re-launch the care provision services under the name of Spectrum, and Cornwall's Lord Lieutenant, Lady Mary Holborow, kindly agreed to take on the role of President, with the distinguished composer Sir Malcolm Arnold as Patron.
Further restructuring has resulted in Spectrum reforming itself as a wholly Cornwall based organisation. The service users from the four units outside the county have been taken on by other service providers in a smooth transition resulting in increased efficiency, and Spectrum currently has 20 homes in Cornwall, where over 300 skilled staff manage the care of 75 service users. The need for highly specialised ASD care provision shows no sign of decreasing, and the Trust's business plan is based on further expansion in the coming years, including the introduction of an older people's home.
Spectrum is now one of the UK's leading service providers for people with ASD, and its expertise is in demand from organisations far beyond its home base of Cornwall. With an enviable reputation for delivering an extensive range of very high quality services to people of all ages, Spectrum continues to work towards the day when all people with ASD have their individual needs met with appropriate services.
With its strong commitment to training, Spectrum has gained the Investor in People award on three occasions. It is an accredited NVQ assessment centre and delivers a comprehensive range of training to ensure all staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to maintain the high quality service required of them.
Service users are supported by a variety of ancillary services including Education, Art, Music, Drama and Theatre, Massage and Aromatherapy.
Spectrum offers a comprehensive range of day services, including a variety of activities and opportunities such as college courses and access to a full range of community activities. Leisure time is structured to encourage service users to participate in a full and varied programme.
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