ROWAN HUMBERSTONE LIMITED

Rowan is a small, vibrant, independent, registered charity providing an arts centre and forest school for adults with learning disabilities in Cambridgeshire and the adjoining counties.  

 Since 1984 we have provided a safe, creative, enriching and welcoming environment where the arts are used as a tool to bring people together, tackle social exclusion whilst developing skills and potential and improving happiness, health and wellbeing.   We also deliver much needed respite to families and carers.

We believe that people living with a disability should have the same choice, quality of life, opportunities and aspirations as others.  

We work in partnership with other organisations to improve the lives of local adults with learning disabilities and we encourage people to “look at what I can do, not what I can’t”, helping our students find their voice and provide a platform from which to be heard.

We run a wide range of workshops in woodwork, ceramics, textiles, print, mixed media, drama and music, 5 days per week, 9am - 3pm, 50 weeks pa, in our fully accessible studios at 40 Humberstone Road. 

We also arrange regular trips out to theatres and other cultural venues for inspiration, to explore art and culture further and to encourage participation and social inclusion.

Students create art for themselves and for sale through open studio events and community retailers.   We undertake commissions which helps raise our profile as skilled artists with a voice in Cambridge. 

We launched Rowan Rangers, our new forest school project in 2020 which helps students connect with nature and the environment.

We currently have more than 80 students, aged 19 – 75, attending Rowan. Workshops can be attended for full or half days to suit each individual.   Workshops are run with 5-10 students per session, depending on the activity, which enables students to develop social and communication skills in smaller groups and we also encourage them to participate in stimulating, larger group, activities during breaks and lunchtimes at Rowan.

We are people centred and quality focused and have a strong, experienced, management team of trustees and operational staff.  Our venue, 40 Humberstone Road, is a key arts venue in Cambridge and is used during evenings and weekends to provide a wide range of classes, activities, events and exhibitions for the wider community.

Our mission is that using visual and performing arts, Rowan endeavours to provide a safe, creative and enriching environment where adults with learning disabilities, under the direction of artists, craftspeople and volunteers, can grow artistically, as well as in their abilities, confidence and self-esteem – all vital ingredients for independent living, health and well-being. 

We are the only dedicated arts centre and forest school for people with learning disability in Cambridgeshire.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US!