Together, we can build on our extraordinary past and unlock even greater possibilities in the future.
Our current home was never originally designed for education or accessibility, yet the students achieve extraordinary things whilst navigating facilities that need constant modifications to meet the growing complexity of their needs.
But the most heart-breaking problem is that we’re massively oversubscribed. We turn away so many talented young people every year who would flourish at Orpheus.
Our College
The Orpheus Centre delivers a highly personalised, student‑led curriculum for young disabled people aged 18–25, structured across a three‑year journey in which students emerge, establish, and consolidate their skills.
We’re officially rated Outstanding — Now we need spaces that can magnify the magic
Your gift will transform our local impact into societal transformation. With the new Arts Centre, we will create a National Centre of Excellence that will include:
- A community café and venue where our students gain real employment
- A fully accessible theatre, studios and teaching spaces designed for disabled creatives
- Purpose-built spaces for theatre, dance, music, film and media
- Welcoming sensory rooms and spaces focussed on wellbeing
Our vision is thousands more young lives transformed through:
- A teaching college spreading the Orpheus way across the UK
- Outreach programmes that bring the wider community to our doors
- Showing companies how hidden talent can transform into visible careers
Artist visualisation of the new theatre
Accessible Theatre
A multi-use space that can turn into a fully functioning theatre to allow for more performance and dance with an even bigger audience.
Music & Art
Creative spaces designed to support young artists in the conception, development, and execution of their work.
Film & Media
Dynamic, multi-functional spaces designed to support the entire production pipeline; from pre-production to post-production.
Hear from our students and supporters
Orpheus delivers more than education – it changes the odds. Because every young disabled person deserves the same chances as their peers. The chance to learn, to work, to love, to laugh, to fail, to succeed, to surprise everyone – including themselves.
Every time I did something that improved my skills. I would say being at Orpheus and the help with my career was fabulous!Orpheus Student
I've been to the Orpheus Centre many times and i have never left without being incredibly impressed about what happens there. Please help empower the next generation to take centre stage, it's worth everything you could possibly give to it.Dame Judi Dench
Our vision is to ensure we create an inclusive world where young disabled people can live and work independently so they can achieve their aspirations. This has to be the minimum expectation we hold for our wonderful students.Sir Richard Stilgoe
The Orpheus Centre does great work and I'm so happy to be able to help.Sir Michael Palin
Our History
Founded in 1998 by musician and entertainer Sir Richard Stilgoe, Orpheus was created with a simple but powerful belief: that creativity, opportunity and belief can transform lives. From our home in Godstone, Surrey, we support young people aged 18–25 with physical and/or learning disabilities to discover their strengths, develop new skills and challenge expectations – their own and those of society.
Built-in magic. Built-in independence.
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