Our history

Although Livability is a new name, our organisation has been hard at work among the UKs most marginalised people for over 160 years.

Our story begins with two visionary Victorians. John Groom was a young apprentice silversmith when he decided to dedicate himself to changing the future for the impoverished disabled people he saw around him.

The seventh Earl of Shaftesbury was one of Britains greatest social reformers, whose broad-ranging concerns included education, animal welfare, public health and improving working conditions.

Coming from different social positions, both men found inspiration in their Christian faith and applied all their energy, thought and resources to creating innovative, radical solutions to the problems of their day.

The two men inspired organisations which bore their name and were dedicated to building on their legacy: John Grooms and the Shaftesbury Society.

In 2007, these two organisations merged and also entered into a formal partnership with John Grooms Housing Association.

Today we are known as Livability and Livability Housing. Although 160 years have passed since our founding, UK society is still in need of creative, passionate and inspired solutions to a range of social problems. We want to put our Christian faith into action, demonstrating the unique value of every individual and challenging the systems which deny people justice.

Livability: Paralympic Fever and its legacy

As a leading disability charity, Livability is delighted with the inspiring impact the London 2012 Paralympics has had on the national consciousness. Like the Olympics before it, they have been embraced and celebrated with a fervour and buzz unseen at previous Paralympic Games. Read Livability's exclusive comment piece here.

Livability: Working with Volunteers, Sheffield

Working with Volunteers, Sheffield. Manipulation or Motivation? How to make the most of the time, skills and experience of your volunteers.

Opinion Former comment: Livability - how funding cuts are affecting the most vulnerable

As a leading disability charity, Livability is concerned by the sweeping funding cuts the Government is putting in place. Our main worry is that the cuts seem to be having a disproportionate impact on disabled people and other disadvantaged groups in our society.