A child leaving home is a worrying time for any parent, but is especially complicated when your child has learning disabilities.

Thankfully, parents like Angela and Peter Phillips, from Didcot, have had the care and support of Style Acre, a charity started by a group of Wallingford parents in the early 1990s.

Mrs Phillips, 62, said: “Our daughter Nicky has West Syndrome which has meant severe learning difficulties and epilepsy, so we were quite anxious about her leaving home to live more independently.”

Nicky, 37, had left college and started using a social services day centre but her needs soon changed, she said.

Mrs Phillips said: “As time went on the day service became less and less suitable for her and activities became less frequent.”

The family home was also too quiet for her as brothers Paul, 40 and Simon, 34, had long since left home.

Mrs Phillips said: “Nicky appeared withdrawn and not interested in doing anything.

“When I look back it is obvious she was depressed with her boring days and quiet evenings.”

Mrs Phillips and husband Peter, 65, then heard that Style Acre might have a place in a house it was buying for three other young people in Didcot.

She said: “Although Nicky hadn’t occurred to them as being suitable at first we were invited to exchange profiles with the other parents and arranged to meet them and their children.When we met the other families we had a chat and the proposed residents spent a little time together to see if they might be compatible.

“Although Nicky was nearly 20 years older they were not that far apart in personality and ability.

“We heard a few days later that the project could go ahead.

“Although it was a big moment I felt nothing but relief that she would have an exciting new life and that her future would be financially secure.”

Nicky didn’t take long to adjust.

Mrs Phillips said: “The first time we picked her up for the day we asked her what she wanted to do in the afternoon and she said ‘go back to Nicky’s house!’ Since that day we haven’t looked back. She is pleased to see us when we call in or pick her up, but she is equally pleased to get back to her own home.”

Nicky now goes swimming, plays badminton, goes to classes and has done work experience.

Mrs Phillips said: “We know how lucky we’ve been. Thanks to Style Acre we have peace of mind for the future. Nicky is happy and secure and has the young company she needed.

“We miss her but we talk to her on the phone and see her every weekend.

“Life is so much more fun for her now and we have the freedom to pursue our own hobbies and interests. I think it has taken longer for us to get used to our independence than it has for her.”

Style Acre Friends, as it was originally known, was formed in 1992 by parents bidding to secure the future of a residential home where their adult children were living.

Their campaigning efforts were so effective they raised enough money to buy the residential hom,e Style Acre House in Wallingford.

The home was sold in 2004 and the money used to buy homes for residents in neighbouring towns. It nows employs 150 staff and has 40 volunteers.

‘Clients’ of Style Acre can get support 24 hours per day or as little as a few hours per week for tasks such as cooking and cleaning and money managment.

The charity’s Turnstile Day Centre service also offers leisure, sports and community activities and work experience.

Gail Hanrahan Barnes, of Chalgrove, said her son Guy, 20, had grown into a man since leaving home to stay in a shared house in Didcot.

He has Angelman Syndrome, which means he has severe learning disabilities and does not talk. She said it was more about “letting her son grow, than letting him go”.

She added: ”Knowing he is with staff who clearly think the world of him is a wonderful feeling.

“We were involved with the whole set up, even down to choosing the carpet. It means Guy has his own life, and has the same life as his sisters.

“When he first moved in I would sometimes drop in unannounced. But now I know there’s no point because he’s never there.

“And to me, that is what it’s all about. If he was slouched in front of the television I would know something wasn’t right.

“But he is always out doing something. It’s wonderful.”

Style Acre has run a successful charity shop in Wallingford for the last 10 years, providing useful income for the charity and volunteering experience for people with learning disabilities.

The charity was recognised last year when CEO Kate Liddle won the Sue Ryder Employer of the Year award. She was nominated by a woman whose two sons the charity supports.

She said: “It was for being a good employer. I was thrilled to receive it on behalf of Style Acre. But without my staff and volunteers I couldn’t have won it.”

But she said the charity was already being hit by cuts to social services because of a squeeze on public spending.

Mrs Liddle said: “This year is going to be about working with less money. But we want to look forward instead of focusing on the negative and would like to set up some new clubs and groups.”

The charity is seeking volunteers, companies to take on clients for work experience and people with gardening, cooking, crafts, music and drama skills.

For information call 01491 838760 or visit styleacre.org.uk