Birmingham Rathbone Society (Registered Charity Number 516557) provides services for people with learning difficulties, within Birmingham and Solihull, to help them to reach their full potential.

We provide training, education and supported employment opportunities, as well as supported living services to individuals in their own homes.

Birmingham Rathbone (formerly named Birmingham Elfrida Rathbone Society) was incorporated in 1985. The Society was named after Elfrida Rathbone, who was born in Liverpool in 1871. She moved to London in 1916 and set up an Occupational Centre in 1919 for children who had been excluded from schools because of their learning difficulties. Elfrida Rathbone was a pioneer and an astute and charismatic woman. The need to campaign for more choice, equality, access to services and a better quality of life for people with learning difficulties, however, is still as necessary today.

In undertaking this work, Birmingham Rathbone is continuing the work which Elfrida Rathbone began almost a century ago.