Canterbury Oast Trust Celebrates 40 Years Of Empowering Lives With Ruby Jubilee Festival & Vision For The Future

This year marks a truly special milestone for Canterbury Oast Trust (COT) — 40 years of supporting and empowering adults with learning disabilities. From our beginnings in 1985, founded by a group of visionary parents, we’ve grown into a vibrant community offering supported living, residential care, life skills training, and meaningful work experiences in Kent.

Our much-loved Rare Breeds Centre remains at the heart of it all — a place where learning, inclusion, and connection thrive.

Our Ruby Jubilee Festival

We’re marking our 40th anniversary with a three-day celebration at the Rare Breeds Centre near Ashford — made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of families of supported people and local businesses including Adler Fairways, Chavereys, Kent Reliance, Korkers, and Serious Print Group.

Here’s what’s in store:

• Friday 5th September – A private, 1980s-themed party for supported individuals, families, staff, volunteers, and our incredible supporters.
• Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th September (12pm–4pm) – We’re teaming up with Raver Tots for two days of family-friendly festival fun, packed with music, dancing, and non-stop entertainment in a safe, inclusive and exciting environment for children and their families.
• Headline acts – Expect high-energy sets from Wideboys (Kisstory Classics), plus live performances from Leanne Louise and Charlotte Devaney, and more great acts!
• Accessibility for all – Thanks to Fostering Together, a fully equipped Changing Places facility will be available throughout the festival, ensuring that individuals with complex needs can take part in the celebrations. They will also have an information stand located next to the facility, offering resources and guidance on becoming a foster parent for children with disabilities

Tickets for the Raver Tots event are available now: Book here

Looking Ahead – “Caring for our Tomorrow”

Our Ruby Jubilee isn’t just about looking back — it’s about building the future. That’s why we’re launching a fundraising campaign to support our ambitious five-year strategy, Caring for our Tomorrow.

Our vision includes:

• Enhanced Accessibility – Upgrading facilities at the Rare Breeds Centre to welcome people with a wide range of disabilities.
• Assistive Technology – Investing in tools that promote independence and communication.
• Environmental Conservation – Expanding nature-based learning and sustainability projects at Poulton Wood and the Rare Breeds Centre.
• Unified Digital Presence – Launching a new, fully accessible website (July 2025) with the Recite Me toolbar, making our content easier to access for the 13 million people in the UK living with disabilities.
• Community Growth – Increasing accommodation options to meet growing demand and expanding life skills programmes to help learners gain skills for employment.

“COT’s Ruby Jubilee is not just a celebration of the past, but a launchpad for the future,” says Sarah Edwards, CEO of Canterbury Oast Trust. “We remain committed to creating a more inclusive, accessible, and joyful world for the people we support.”

Get Involved

We’d love you to be part of our next chapter. Whether through donations, sponsorship, or volunteering, your support helps us continue to change lives.

• Fundraising and sponsorship packs are available on our website.
• Find out more, donate, or get involved: www.canterburyoasttrust.org.uk

Here’s to the next 40 years — and to a future filled with opportunity and inclusion.