Our Lifelong Learning Programmes are for adults with learning disabilities, complex needs and autism. Our specialist staff use creative methods such as art, drama, music, movement and multi-sensory activity to make learning fun and accessible, exploring a wide range of different topics based on a yearly theme.

Our theme for 2019/20 is Mystery; we’re looking at all sorts of mysterious things including the mysteries of the human body, the mysteries of space and mysterious places!

You can find out more about what we’ve been up to by following our Facebook page, or see what we’re planning here.

Lifelong Learning Programmes run from 10am – 3pm during term time. The day is broken up into three one-hour sessions, with regular breaks built in to encourage social interaction. Our programmes cost £40 per day and are usually funded through people’s personal budgets. Participants sign up for the academic year, and we have a four-week notice period to allow us to fill a space if anyone leaves us.

You can download our 2019/20 term dates here.

We also run a residential weekend twice a year at The Beamsley Project, which is open to anyone who attends our Lifelong Learning Programmes. Beamsley is a great opportunity for people from different Purple Patch groups to come together, socialise, learn and get creative – and it’s also where we decide on our our new theme each year!

We offer two free taster sessions so that people can find out if Purple Patch is right for them.

If you, or somebody you know, might like to come to Purple Patch then please get in touch with our Programmes Team. We will work with you to identify access needs, find out a bit about you, and discuss the best programme for you to try.