QEF is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2025, marking nearly a century of dedication to enhancing the lives of disabled people. Since its official opening in 1935, QEF has been at the forefront of providing innovative and person-centred services that enable disabled people to live with greater independence.
To celebrate this milestone, we have launched a new series of celebrity-led events called ‘An Interview With…’ and the first event is on 2nd April, with renowned chef and TV personality Dame Prue Leith. We have also produced a new film with stories from individuals whose lives have been changed by our services, supported by former BBC Royal Correspondent, Nicholas Witchell.
Since 1935
The College was officially opened on June 27, 1935, by HRH The Duchess of York, later Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, who became the charity’s Patron. The college provided employment training for disabled individuals to help people integrate into the workforce. Over the decades the courses available changed, from welding and radio repairs, to plastering and computer programming. During World War 2 the College was part of the Disabled Section of the Munitions Training Scheme of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, training disabled individuals in essential skills for munitions production.
Today QEF provides expert services that support almost 10,000 disabled people annually across the UK. Our services can have a life-changing impact for individuals and their families, such as Rocky, Ellie and young Julian who feature in our new film. From neuro rehabilitation after a stroke or brain injury, to driving assessments and driving lessons, mobility equipment and residential support for people with learning disabilities, our services are focused on enabling disabled people to be as independent as possible.
Pioneering Developments
QEF have been at the forefront of pioneering new ideas to meet disabled people’s needs, such as:
– the UK’s first Mobility Centre in 1983, supporting people to access driving,
– Tryb4uFly, experiencing an aircraft cabin before booking a flight,
– Bugzi, a mini powered chair for disabled children in 2012.
– pioneering accessible aviation films in 2019, showing every aspect of a journey by air for a powered wheelchair user.
– a purpose-built Care and Rehabilitation Centre – a multi-disciplinary centre of neuro rehabilitation expertise, which was officially opened by HRH the Duchess of Edinburgh, then HRH the Countess of Wessex, in 2021.
For more information on QEF’s history visit www.qef.org.uk/about/90th-anniversary/
Looking Forward
Karen Deacon, QEF’s Chief Executive says “As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to our mission of delivering expert services that enable disabled people of all ages to achieve their potential so they can be as independent as possible. Our future initiatives will continue to focus on innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in service delivery. We are grateful to our partners, supporters, donors, and volunteers whose generosity and dedication make our work possible.”
New Events
As part of the charity’s 90th anniversary celebrations we have launched a new series of ‘In conversation with….’ celebrity events. The first of these is on 2nd April at Sandown Park Racecourse in Surrey and is an opportunity to enjoy a two-course lunch and a Q&A session with renowned chef and TV personality Dame Prue Leith. Guests will also be given the opportunity to submit their questions to Prue to answer on the day.
She said: “I have supported QEF over the last few years as I know what valuable work it does for those living with disabilities. I love doing these sorts of events as it gives me the opportunity to really interact with the audience and share some of the incredible moments in my life – all for a great cause. I am really looking forward to it.”
There will also be a photo opportunity and book signing of Prue’s new book ‘Life’s too short to stuff a mushroom’. Guests will also be given a special 90th anniversary cake recipe card curated by Prue.
Tickets are available at www.qef.org.uk/events/Prue. Your support will help to grow and expand our services, so we can enable more disabled children and adults to be as independent as possible
