Active8 is a small Cornish charity, which provides two years of exciting, fun   experiences for young people with a physical disability, followed by opportunites for young adults (the After8's) to stay in touch with each other as they start their adult lives.  

10 young people from all over Cornwall meet for twelve residential weekends a year, for two years. Active8 started this youth group because people were isolated and wanted something they could join in fully. They travel a long way to get together, put a lot into the weekends and, as you can see from the photos on this site, they spend some memorable times together. Active8 can also help them get involved in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and other activities which use their skills and talents to the full. The residential weekend project is now called Acceler8.

The new Acceler8 group will now have their first day in May 2012 and start weekends in June. To be part of it you need to be at least 14, probably 15, and have a physical disability. If you want to know more, you'll find the contact page and phone number on this site: get in touch soon!

In 2010 Active8 consulted with 40 young people who were aged 16 to 25, have a physical disability but not a learning disability, and live in Cornwall. Mainly in groups they recalled their journey towards independence, the barriers and the highlights. Josey Spencer's report, 'Gaining Independence', with the words of the participants and the presentations some of them made to Cornwall's Transition Board, gives the reader a rare  insight into the complex difficulties these young people face. In a rural community where their numbers are always too small to have political 'clout', it identifies the experiences of young people whose needs are often overlooked.

The 'Gaining Independence' report is available electronically in PDF format. Please use the contact page  on this website.