Active8 is a small Cornish charity, providing two years of fun and challenging experiences for young people with a physical disability, followed by opportunites for young adults (the After Eights) to stay in touch with each other as they start their adult lives.  

Firstly, 11 young people aged 15 and up from all over Cornwall are meeting for twelve residential weekends a year, based at an Outdoor Education Centre. 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) spend some memorable times together. Active8 also helps them to get involved in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and other activities which use their skills and talents to the full. 

Gaining Independence

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 a group whose voice is too seldom heard.

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