As part of our package of member benefits, VONNE’s Gold and Silver Membership+ supporters have the opportunity to submit a guest post for our website. In this blog, we catch up with Silver Members Coquet Trust to find out more about their work and what they've achieved during this busy year.
Looking Back at 2025: A Year of Change, Challenge and Real Progress
As we reach the end of 2025, it’s a good moment to pause and reflect on what has been a full, challenging and rewarding year across Coquet Trust. So much has happened in our locations and within our staff teams, it’s clear that we’ve kept moving forward with purpose, inspired by our values and grounded in our commitment to being a trustworthy, reliable, inclusive organisation.
New Homes, New Beginnings in South Tyneside
One of the achievements we’re especially proud of this year has been the opening of two supported-living developments in South Tyneside. People with complex needs have now moved into their new homes, places designed around comfort, independence and long-term stability. These are homes built not only with bricks and mortar, but with our commitment to reliability and inclusive support at their core.
Move-ins began in April and were complete by early summer. The groundwork behind the scenes was huge: multi-disciplinary planning, detailed transition work, and strong collaboration with families and professionals. Helen Rutter, our Support Manager for the area, played a central part in the project and led with remarkable dedication. A shining example of our committed and inspirational leadership.
Investing in Our Practice: Training & Development
Another major area of progress this year has been strengthening our staff skills and leadership in positive practice.
We’ve successfully trained more of our managers to become PROACTSCIPr-UK trainers, expanding our internal capacity so we can deliver this important training more often and more locally across our locations.
Meanwhile, our Person Centred Active Support pilot locations are now well underway. Training has been going smoothly, and teams are really starting to embed Person Centred Active Support into day-to-day life making routines richer, more meaningful, and more empowering for the people we support.
To build on that, we have a Train-the-Trainer session booked in for early 2026. This will help us continue growing internal expertise and make sure Person Centred Active Support becomes deeply rooted in how we work across Coquet Trust. This investment reflects our trustworthy, reliable approach to high-quality support.
A Day of Celebration: Family Fun Day 2025
One of the brightest moments of the year came on Friday 15th August, when we held our Family Fun Day. This was more than just an event, it was a joyful celebration that brought together the people we support, their families, friends, and Coquet Trust staff.
The day was filled with laughter, games, and togetherness. These kinds of moments are hugely important, not just for enjoyment, but for building relationships, memories, and a real sense of belonging. It felt like one big gathering where everyone was welcomed and valued, a powerful reminder of our inclusive spirit and how much strength and joy can come when we connect, have fun and support each other. These moments build relationships, memories and belonging, and they inspire us all.
Speaking Up After the ITV Exposé
In July, an ITV investigation brought to light the continued detention of people with learning disabilities and autism in secure units. We were deeply disturbed by what was revealed.
We responded publicly, not just to highlight our concern, but to reiterate what we believe: that everyone deserves the chance to live in their community, with dignity, choice, and proper support.
We remain firmly committed to pushing for systemic change, working with partners who share our vision, and ensuring that people with lived experience and their families are at the heart of that change. Our response demonstrated our trustworthy, values-driven commitment to safeguarding human rights and pushing for systemic change.
Reflecting on the Welfare Reform Bill
The Universal Credit Welfare Reform Bill raised serious concerns for us in 2025. In our reflection, we highlighted the risk posed by cutting the health element for new claimants, a change that could disproportionately affect people with learning disabilities.
Our position is rooted in trustworthiness and reliability: reforms must be genuinely co-produced and assessments must reflect the realities of fluctuating conditions, not force people into rigid categories. We want a system that supports independence without removing vital safety nets.
A Night of Celebration at St James’s Park
Even in a year full of important day-to-day work, there was space for celebration. Our 3rd annual Star Awards, held at St James’s Park, was a heartfelt evening. With nominations coming from colleagues, the awards always feel deeply genuine and reflect the inclusive, inspirational culture that runs through Coquet Trust.
We recognised long-term dedication, emerging talent, and the day-to-day excellence that doesn’t always make headlines, but changes lives. It was a powerful reminder of how much compassion and heart there is across Coquet Trust.
Finally, to end the year, we held our 30th Anniversary Gala Dinner.
On 28th November 2025 over 160 people got all dressed up to attend our 30th Anniversary Gala dinner at the Gosforth Park Hotel. The evening opened with our Chief Executive – Victoria Neish welcoming everybody followed by an inspirational video, tombola and lots of dancing.
It was a fantastic way to end our year of celebrations, everyone had an amazing time, it was a such a special atmosphere and a perfect reminder of the incredible work we do every day.
Looking Towards 2026
If anything, 2025 has shown us that real progress happens when we combine inspirational values, committed teams and reliable practice, all underpinned by trust and inclusion.
As we head into 2026, we will continue to:
- Expand and develop our community-based locations.
- Advocate persistently for systemic reform that reflects the voices of the people we support.
- Build on our training gains so PROACTSCIPr-UK and Active Support become embedded across Coquet Trust.
- Celebrate and invest in our people, because our commitment to each other is what makes change happen.
A Final Thank You
To everyone who has been part of our 2025 journey, the people we support, their families, our staff and partners. thank you. Your dedication, trust and energy make Coquet Trust what it is.
As we look ahead, we remain true to our mission: being partners in your support today, tomorrow and every day since 1995.
Here’s to a 2026 full of hope, connection, inclusion and meaningful impact.
To find out more about the work of Coquet Trust and how you can get involved, visit https://coquettrust.org.uk/
Image Credits: Coquet Trust