The Hamlet Charity
The Hamlet Charity is a UK-registered charity providing recreational, educational, and social support services for children, young people, and adults with disabilities across Norfolk, operating from three Norwich centres and serving 500+ families annually.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersNorwich, United Kingdom
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Hamlet Charity does
The Hamlet Charity (legally The Hamlet Centre Trust, Charity No: 1000653) is a UK-registered charity and company limited by guarantee providing recreational, educational, and social support services for children, young people, and adults with disabilities and complex health needs across Norfolk. Founded in 1973 as the Norwich Toy Library by Jack and Margaret Wymer, the charity operates a portfolio of age-segmented services: Early Explorers preschool and Little Bees stay-and-play sessions for children aged 0-4; a Norfolk County Council-commissioned Short Breaks play scheme for children aged 5-17; a day service and Out of Hours Club for adults aged 18+; and Family Support programmes including The Hive advice service, Nurture Group for NICU families, and Coffee Mornings. Services are delivered in person across three purpose-built Norwich centres (Johnson Place, Ella Road, and the newly opened Marion Road), reaching over 500 families annually.
The service model is built on specialist, person-centred care rather than a software platform. Staff are trained in medical-support techniques (enteral feeding, epilepsy, manual handling) and use established communication and behavioural methods such as Intensive Interaction (for non-verbal individuals with profound and multiple learning difficulties) and Signalong (a sign-based communication system), supported by sensory rooms, accessible gardens, and standard assistive technology. Operational leadership is held by CEO Lorraine Ewing (succeeding Ellie Coulson), with Children's Services managed by Jayne Buckingham; governance is provided by a Board of Trustees chaired by Caron with Debbie as Vice Chair.
Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of individual donations, legacy gifts, corporate partnerships (Charity of the Year relationships, cause-related marketing, and gifts in kind), community fundraising events, and government-commissioned service contracts (most notably Short Breaks with Norfolk County Council). The charity does not charge families for core services; capacity expansion is funded through targeted appeals (e.g., a £25,000 kitchen refurbishment campaign), and the donor network includes Kier Group, RWE, Busseys, Nuffield Health, Orbit Homes, the Norfolk Chicken Association, and the Norwich Forum for the Construction Industry.
The Hamlet Charity firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Hamlet Charity
- Legal name
- The Hamlet Centre Trust
- Website
- https://thehamletcharity.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- The Hamlet Charity is a UK-registered charity providing recreational, educational, and social support services for children, young people, and adults with disabilities across Norfolk, operating from three Norwich centres and serving 500+ families annually.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Hamlet Charity industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Support Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Child and Youth Services (62411), Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC), Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI), Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC)
Keywords
Where The Hamlet Charity is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Norwich
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Hamlet Charity business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate partnerships, and community fundraising events including challenge events, quiz nights, and seasonal campaigns.
- Legacy Gifts: Bequests and gifts left in wills by supporters to support the charity's long-term sustainability.
- Government-Funded Services: Short Breaks programme commissioned by Norfolk County Council providing recreational opportunities for children and young people with disabilities.
- Corporate Sponsorship: Partnerships with businesses including Charity of the Year relationships, cause-related marketing, and gifts in kind.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
The Hamlet Charity product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Hamlet Charity delivers recreational, educational, and social support services for children, young people, and adults with disabilities and complex health needs in Norwich and across Norfolk. Its core offering comprises age-differentiated specialist programmes including early years preschool provision, Short Breaks play schemes, adult day services, and family support groups, delivered through three dedicated centres using specialist communication methods such as Intensive Interaction and Signalong alongside assistive technology.
Product overview
The Hamlet Charity operates a portfolio of disability care services rather than a single software product. Its core offering spans age-differentiated specialist services: Early Explorers preschool and Little Bees sessions for children 0-4 years; Short Breaks play scheme for children 5-17 years; Adult Day Service and Out of Hours Club for adults 18+; and Family Support services including The Hive, Nurture Group, and Coffee Mornings. Services are delivered across three Norwich locations (Johnson Place Children's Centre, Ella Road Adult's Centre, and Marion Road Adult's Centre) with a focus on recreational, educational, and social opportunities for people with disabilities and complex health needs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Children's Service 0-4 Years Specialist early years provision for children up to age 4 with disabilities and complex health needs, including Early Explorers preschool (ages 2-4) and Little Bees stay-and-play sessions (ages 0-4).
- Short Breaks Play Scheme Norfolk County Council-funded recreational play scheme for children ages 5-17 with disabilities, operating during school holidays and Saturdays with age-differentiated groups (5-11 and 12-17).
- Adults' Day Service Day service for adults aged 18-29 and beyond with disabilities, providing activities from specialist premises Monday-Friday, using assistive technology, Intensive Interaction approaches, and individual timetables.
- Out of Hours Club Evening and weekend social activities for anyone over 16 with disabilities, including regular Saturday Club with themed activities, community outings, and social events.
- Family Support Services Family support including The Hive (parent/carer advice and guidance), Nurture Group (support for NICU families transitioning home), and Coffee Mornings (parent networking sessions).
Quantifiable outcome
- Supporting over 500 families annually across Norfolk
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Hamlet Charity
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Hamlet Charity technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Hamlet Charity partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, notable, core and historic.
- Emma Watson (Individual Fundraiser)minorEmma Watson completed the Norwich Half Marathon in November and raised £810 for The Hamlet in honour of her son Huey who attended their pre-school.
- The Norfolk Chicken AssociationnotableThe Norfolk Chicken Association, organising their annual dinner dance with colleagues from the poultry industry across the UK (now in their 39th year), made a £10,000 donation to The Hamlet. The Children's Services Manager welcomed two members of the association for a tour of the Children's Services during a short breaks session.
- Rotary Club of Norwich St EdmundnotableOrganiser of the Christmas Tree Festival at St Peter Mancroft Church. The Hamlet participated and received £1,500 as a beneficiary, placing second in visitor voting for their decorated tree.
- Kier GroupnotableAs part of their efforts to support local charities at Easter, Kier Group donated over 400 Easter eggs for distribution to children, young people and adults supported by The Hamlet.
- Norwich Forum for the Construction IndustrynotableAt their 22nd Annual Norfolk Property Dinner held at Norwich City Football Club, Norwich Forum presented a £5,000 cheque to The Hamlet for a much-needed new care bed.
- Gate CaisterminorGate Caister ran an Easter Egg Appeal, delivering 275 Easter eggs, 20 chocolate bunnies, 12 packs of sweets and chocolate, 10 Crème Eggs, and 16 mini chocolate eggs to The Hamlet.
- Alex Lynch (Individual Trustee)notableAlex Lynch, a Hamlet trustee, completed the 192-mile Coast to Coast walk, raising £3,262 split between The Hamlet Charity and Young Minds UK.
- Orbit HomesminorOrbit Homes made a donation of Easter eggs and sensory items for children and adult users to enjoy over the Easter break.
- Nuffield HealthminorNuffield Health donated Easter eggs and sensory items for users to enjoy over the Easter break.
- Andrew (Individual Fundraiser)notableAndrew completed the Grand to Grand Ultra (171 miles in 7 days) and raised over £6,600 for The Hamlet for his god-daughter Isabelle Wright who has attended for many years.
- Philippa and Simon Meredith (Individual Fundraisers)notablePhilippa and Simon, whose son Oliver has attended The Hamlet for 26 years, are walking the final 100km of the Camino de Santiago to fundraise for The Hamlet as part of their 60th birthday celebrations.
- Community Abseilers (Multiple Individuals)notableMultiple community members abseiled down The Forum, raising a combined £7,305 for The Hamlet, with additional funds from student crafts and cake sales.
- Lorraine Ewing (CEO)coreLorraine Ewing is the CEO of The Hamlet Charity, having taken over from previous CEO Ellie Coulson. She leads the organisation's strategic direction and was welcomed by new Board Chair Caron and Vice Chair Debbie.
- Clive Lewis MPnotableClive Lewis MP for South Norwich visited The Hamlet Adult Centre to tour facilities, meet students, and hold a Q&A session on issues affecting people with disabilities including transport accessibility and banking challenges.
- Caroline Karimi-Ghovanlou (Broadland District Council)notableChairwoman of Broadland District Council who nominated The Hamlet as her charity of the year and officially opened the new Marion Road Adult's Centre in November 2023.
- Creativity UnboundcoreLocal brand agency working with The Hamlet on their 50th anniversary '50 Years of Firsts' campaign, creating content celebrating joyful firsts in children's lives achieved through The Hamlet's support.
- MJS ProjectsnotableLed the development of the Adult Services Sensory Garden at Marion Road, coordinating a dream team of local companies including Empower Services Ltd, UEA Estates, A&S Cooling, LSI Architects, Pips Skips Ltd, and Jewson who provided materials free of charge.
- St Raphael ClubhistoricAfter almost 80 years, the St Raphael Club (who shared premises with The Hamlet) held their final meeting. The Hamlet now has full ownership of the Johnson Place building. A plaque was unveiled to recognise the St Raphael Club's role in supporting people with disabilities in Norfolk.
- SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service)notableJoanne Thompson from SENDIASS attended the MP visit to discuss Marion Road Park Accessibility and potential funding to make the park more inclusive.
- Busseys (Car Dealership)notableBusseys generously sponsored The Hamlet's Christmas tree at the St Peter Mancroft festival and pledged to make donations for every public social media post using #lightupnorfolk.
- Caron and Lizzie (Quiz Night Hosts)minorHosted a quiz night at The Hamlet with over 10 teams participating, raising £521.71 for the new kitchen at Marion Road Adult's Centre.
- Norfolk Knitters & StitchersminorWith over 2,000 members and 100+ groups across the county, Norfolk Knitters crafted knitted storytelling toys and items for children and adult users at The Hamlet.
- The Matthew ProjectminorThe Matthew Project made canapes for the Marion Road Grand Opening celebration event.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Hamlet Charity competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- United Response: National disability charity providing supported living, day services, and community-based support for people with learning disabilities and autism. Comparable in delivering community-based, personalised disability support.
- Dimensions UK: National specialist learning disability provider offering bespoke support, day services, and family support. Comparable to The Hamlet's portfolio of age-differentiated services for children and adults with learning disabilities.
- SeeAbility: UK charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and sight loss through specialist day services, housing, and schools. Comparable in delivering intensive, small-group, specialist disability support.
- National Autistic Society: UK's largest autism-specific charity providing education, adult services, and family support. Comparable to The Hamlet in serving individuals with autism across age groups, particularly children and adults with complex needs.
- Hft (Home Farm Trust): National charity supporting people with learning disabilities through personalised housing, day services, and support. Comparable to The Hamlet in providing lifelong disability services with focus on complex needs.
- Sense: UK charity supporting people with complex disabilities including deafblindness, learning disabilities, and autism. Comparable to The Hamlet's specialism in profound and multiple learning difficulties and complex communication needs.
- Ambitious about Autism: National autism education charity operating specialist schools and youth services. Directly comparable to The Hamlet's autism-focused preschool, Short Breaks, and adult services for individuals with autism and complex needs.
- Mencap: UK's leading charity for people with learning disabilities, supporting children and adults across education, housing, and day services. Highly comparable to The Hamlet's lifespan disability support model, though at significantly greater national scale.
Broad incumbents
- RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People): Large UK sight-loss charity offering education, employment, and community services. Adjacent comparable as a major disability nonprofit with education and day-services portfolio, though serving a different primary impairment population.
Emerging players
- Norfolk SENDIASS: Local authority-funded information, advice, and support service for SEND families in Norfolk. Regional peer operating in the same catchment as The Hamlet with overlapping family-support remit (referral partner).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Hamlet Charity social profiles
Digital presenceThe Hamlet Charity financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Hamlet Charity leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
The Hamlet Charity funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Hamlet Charity M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Hamlet Charity
What does The Hamlet Charity do?
The Hamlet Charity delivers recreational, educational, and social support services for children, young people, and adults with disabilities and complex health needs in Norwich and across Norfolk. Its core offering comprises age-differentiated specialist programmes including early years preschool provision, Short Breaks play schemes, adult day services, and family support groups, delivered through three dedicated centres using specialist communication methods such as Intensive Interaction and Signalong alongside assistive technology.
Is The Hamlet Charity a public or private company?
The Hamlet Charity is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Hamlet Charity founded?
The Hamlet Charity was founded in 1973.
Where is The Hamlet Charity based?
The Hamlet Charity is headquartered in Norwich, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Hamlet Charity make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are legacy Gifts, government-Funded Services and corporate Sponsorship.
Who are The Hamlet Charity's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are United Response, Dimensions UK, SeeAbility, National Autistic Society, Hft (Home Farm Trust), Sense, Ambitious about Autism and Mencap. RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) is listed as a broad incumbent. Norfolk SENDIASS is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Hamlet Charity have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Hamlet Charity.
What industry is The Hamlet Charity in?
The Hamlet Charity's product category is Disability Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of HSAAAIAC, Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare. Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 8300.