About JPK Sussex

Founded on family. Built for life.

JPK Sussex is a small Sussex charity with a big ambition — that adults with learning disabilities should have a home for life, not a placement, and a real community around them.

Our story

Jill's vision.

Jill Parker MBE began her career as a State Registered Nurse, but her life took a new direction when her daughter was born with a learning disability.

As her daughter and other children like her grew into adulthood, Jill saw how sharply their opportunities narrowed. Families needed somewhere that felt genuinely like living, not simply being looked after — with purpose, friendship and support close at hand.

The result is Gow Lodge: seven residents in seven en-suite rooms, shared spaces to eat and gather, a garden, and a trusted team. Originally designed with a community cafe attached, that space is now let to a partner organisation whose rent contributes towards our mortgage — a small piece of the sustainability puzzle.

Our history

From one family’s experience to a home for life.

JPK grew from a determination to create better opportunities for people with learning disabilities — not only in childhood, but throughout their adult lives.

The early years
Support for children and families
Jill first established a charity to raise funds, provide services for children with learning disabilities, and support their parents and carers.
2002–2003
The original charity takes shape
The original JPK charity was established under a Declaration of Trust on 23 May 2002 and registered with the Charity Commission in August 2003. Its aim was to create appropriate accommodation, meaningful activities, training and greater independence for adults with learning disabilities in East Sussex.
2012
The JPK Sussex Project is established
The charity became a charitable company, carrying the same purpose forward: creating a permanent home and meaningful opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and allied needs.
Gow Lodge
A vision becomes real
Years of fundraising, grants, donations and support from local people and organisations made Gow Lodge possible. It was designed not simply as accommodation, but as a place where people could build friendships, learn skills and live more independently.
July 2026
Jill steps down
After more than two decades of determination and leadership, Jill retired and stepped down as Chair of the charity. Her founding belief remains at the heart of JPK’s work.
Today
The story continues
JPK continues to support people with learning disabilities and autism, and their families, across East Sussex — guided by the belief that everyone deserves a meaningful life, the chance to develop their abilities, a sense of belonging, and a valued place in their community.

Kelsey Debenedictis, Chair of The JPK Sussex

Current leadership

Meet Kelsey Debenedictis.

As Chair, Kelsey Debenedictis is leading The JPK Sussex into its next chapter — building on Jill’s legacy while developing wider opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autism across East Sussex.

“There is always room for more inclusion, more opportunity and more understanding.”

Read about JPK’s next chapter

Our people

The people behind JPK.

A small team of staff and a dedicated board of trustees — many of them family members of people with learning disabilities themselves — all working towards the same belief: that everyone deserves a meaningful life.