Our locations
Walton Lea Partnership
Walton Lea Partnership is a busy place! We provide work experience and learning for people with learning difficulties in a beautiful Victorian walled garden near Warrington.
“At the Walton Lea Partnership we aim to improve the self-esteem and status of adults with learning difficulties and helping them to play a full part in the local community”.
We have a small shop that is open for the sale of our own home grown produce, plants, woodwork, and crafts.
There is a display of up-cycled furniture and woodwork with the garden in mind – garden furniture, wooden art, bird feeders, bug boxes and bird boxes.
Horticulture
Working closely with Warrington Borough Council, The Walton Estate and partners we help maintain the estate and take on projects such as planting beds around the gardens. Plants nurtured from seed and other aspects of their social enterprise will be available on site.
Environment
Learners are made aware of the different habitats, focusing around the Walton Hall and Walton Lea sites showing learners how each habitat attracts different flora and fauna and what elements have a positive or negative affect on each and how to manage.
Animal Husbandry
Our learners will be shown how to care for the animals at the Walton Hall Gardens and the other roles involved in maintaining a small zoo. They will learn basic skills and knowledge.
Walton Lea Partnership
at Walton Hall
The Walton Lea Partnership now offer supported learning in the new centre at Walton Hall Gardens based in the historic conservatory, the vinery area and classrooms used in the Shippon area (that were once occupied by Lady Daresbury’s prized Kerry cattle) to deliver learning, support and work across the whole of Walton Hall and Gardens.
Every aspect of the care process learned with the guidance of expert rangers teaches them important skills.
Sponsors
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors.
We are incredibly grateful for your support.
Our history
We started in 1998 with seven learners at the walled garden, (three of whom still attend to this day), and now welcome more than 60 adults and young people every week across our two vibrant locations.
Our why
OUR MISSION
To provide practical, compassionate and transformative support through efficient, effective and empathetic service provision in a safe, uplifting and nurturing learning environment.
OUR VISION
An inclusive world where people with learning disabilities and associated conditions are valued equally, have opportunity, dignity, respect, choice, understanding and support to lead fulfilled, happy and healthy lives.
Our Motto Is
Never Give Up!
No Barriers
Live Your Dreams
Our Aims
Improve the futures of learning-disabled people and those with associated conditions, by providing access to the appropriate person-centred information, learning services, equipment, therapies and treatment they need.
Empower learning-disabled people and those with associated conditions, their family/carers to make informed life choices, express their views and exercise choice in selecting provision, support activities and treatments.
Increase awareness and understanding of the needs of learning-disabled people and those with associated conditions, of all ages, across the region and the UK and defend their rights in the community.
Engage with local and national government to inform emerging legislation and provision and influence the shape and availability of social and health care, housing and education.
Enable people with learning disabilities and associated conditions to lead active and independent lives to their full potential.
Enable people with learning disabilities and associated conditions to lead ordinary lives free of barriers and prejudice.
Become a recognised centre of excellence for the support and development of people with learning disabilities and associated conditions.
Improve the futures of learning-disabled people and those with associated conditions, by providing access to the appropriate person-centred information, learning services, equipment, therapies and treatment they need.
Empower learning-disabled people and those with associated conditions, their family/carers to make informed life choices, express their views and exercise choice in selecting provision, support activities and treatments.
Increase awareness and understanding of the needs of learning-disabled people and those with associated conditions, of all ages, across the region and the UK and defend their rights in the community.
Engage with local and national government to inform emerging legislation and provision and influence the shape and availability of social and health care, housing and education.
Enable people with learning disabilities and associated conditions to lead active and independent lives to their full potential.
Enable people with learning disabilities and associated conditions to lead ordinary lives free of barriers and prejudice.
Become a recognised centre of excellence for the support and development of people with learning disabilities and associated conditions.
Meet the team
our staff
I have worked and volunteered in many community and hospital settings with adults and children with a wide range of additional needs over the years, but none have been as unique and heart-warming as it is at Walton Lea. I also was the Team Leader for Cheshire Search & Rescue Team for 10 years and achieved the Chief Constables Award for outstanding contributions to the community.
I was responsible for the Health, Safety & Welfare for 75 volunteers and was a Search Manager for 9 of those years, coordinating over 120 individual searches for missing persons. I had a few years away from the Health & Social Care sector and was a Community Development Manager for a large company, before I became an Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) & Accreditation Review Lead for a local Trauma company.
Away from work, I enjoy canoeing, rock climbing, hill walking, meeting up with friends for days out and making special family memories.
Trustees
Mike Cozens
Chair of the Board of Trustees
A seasoned and successful entrepreneur and business owner Mike has substantial experience of working in senior leadership roles in both private and public sector organisations.
He is highly skilled in strategic business development, business improvement and change management and places great importance on creating a workplace culture in which employees are empowered and encouraged to achieve both personal and business success.
He has been a WLP Board member for over six years and has overseen substantial improvements in service delivery, brand reputation and growth in learner numbers. Mike has, over many years, given significant personal time and philanthropic support to a wide variety of Charities.
He has served as vice chair on the Boards of both ADSIS and the Early Years Childcare and Development in Staffordshire and has also served as business mentor and advisor to the Wedgwood Museum Trustee Board and to the Chambers of Commerce.
In addition to his role with the Walton Lea Partnership Mike is also the Chair of Trustees for the WeeeCharity Inc in Warrington.
Caroline Jones
Trustee
I was delighted to join WLP in 2019 as a Trustee.
My particular interests working with Walton Lea Partnership are policy and governance along with supporting the learning journey for our wonderful learners. I am very happy to play my part on the Board to help steer service delivery and the design of future offers to our learners.
My background is in industrial psychology and I am also qualified to teach adults and assess their learning journey. I have also undertaken external verifying duties for a number of courses.
I took early retirement from Local Government in 2008, having worked in economic development and social regeneration; towards the end of my paid career I became lead Officer for social regeneration with Warrington Borough Council which gives me a good understanding of the needs of communities within and around the Warrington area.
Since that time I have been a Trustee with various charities, undertaking positions from Trustee, Committee Chair and Deputy Chair over the years.
Trish Chapman
Trustee
Hi I am Trish Chapman and I recently joined WLP as a Trustee with responsibility for Parent and Carers. Previously I have been a Foster Carer for 15 years to around 30 children.
I worked at Green Lane special school for 8 years as an admin assistant before retiring on ill health due to Rheumatoid Arthritis. I was a governor at Green lane for 22 years and am now a governor at Fox wood special school for the past 5 years and am currently chair of governors.
I have been married to Peter for almost 40 years and have 3 children. Laura who is married and has a boy 14 and a girl 11. Thomas is married and has 2 girls 3 and 6 months and last but definitely not least is Betty who attends WLP and loves every minute of her time there.
Dianne Gardner
Trustee
Since the beginning of 2024 I have been an active volunteer at WLP, and was delighted when given the opportunity to become a Trustee in order to assist in its future growth and development.
The majority of my full-time working life was spent as an executive secretary prior to leaving to raise my family. I returned to work in the Library at Bridgwater High School, and retired in 2023 after 17 years.
Since 1998 I have been active with the Scout movement as Section Leader – Cubs at 1st Moore and I am also a Trustee for the group.
Additionally, since 2004 I have been part of Cheshire Penguins Swimming Club, a volunteer-run charitable organisation for children and adults with learning disabilities. I am currently Secretary and Head Coach.
I am married to Ken, lived in Sandymoor for over 30 years, and have two children, Richard and Daniel. Richard is a learner at WLP and also a member of the swimming club.
Paul Cooper
Trustee
Hi I’m Paul. I am now retired and I’m excited to be joining the Walton Lea Partnership board to assist with the improvement of the existing facilities and with the development of the “Big Project”. During my 46 year career in the construction industry I have been involved in the development of many local landmarks e.g. the original Golden Square in Warrington, the Domestic Facility at Manchester Airport (now Terminal 3) and The Pyramid in Stockport.
I was a site manager on increasingly large and complex schemes before progressing to project and contract management roles. This required continuous learning to ensure professional competence; sharing information and knowledge with colleagues, ensuring their health, safety and wellbeing and allowing them to explore their potential to learn and develop; an approach I have seen reciprocated at Walton Lea, where the learners are given opportunities to develop their domestic, practical skills and leisure interests in a safe and supportive environment.
I have lived in the Warrington area all my life. I am married to Diane who is also retired but who had a long career with Warrington Borough Council, latterly as manager of the Occupational Therapy Service. We have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. Our daughter and 3 of the grandchildren live in Canada.
I enjoy playing walking rugby at Moore Rugby Club and with Warrington Wolves. I have recently taken up cycling again and we are both members of a local pub quiz team. We both love to travel and will continue to visit faraway places, while we are still able!
Samra Shah
Trustee
I was delighted to join WLP in 2019 as a Trustee.
My particular interests working with Walton Lea Partnership are policy and governance along with supporting the learning journey for our wonderful learners. I am very happy to play my part on the Board to help steer service delivery and the design of future offers to our learners.
My background is in industrial psychology and I am also qualified to teach adults and assess their learning journey. I have also undertaken external verifying duties for a number of courses.
I took early retirement from Local Government in 2008, having worked in economic development and social regeneration; towards the end of my paid career I became lead Officer for social regeneration with Warrington Borough Council which gives me a good understanding of the needs of communities within and around the Warrington area.
Since that time I have been a Trustee with various charities, undertaking positions from Trustee, Committee Chair and Deputy Chair over the years.
Vacancies
Join our supported learning family at Walton Lea Walled Garden or Walton Hall Gardens. You’ll find details of all current vacancies on our LinkedIn page.
Governance
Find key policies and procedures here.