We’re proud to announce the acquisition of Pavilion Buildings, a prominent site in central Brighton that will soon become our new home. Situated next to the iconic Brighton Pavilion, this new facility represents a significant milestone in Team Domenica’s mission to help people with learning disabilities and autism gain paid employment and thrive in life.

Why this move matters

Since our foundation in 2016, Team Domenica has worked tirelessly to create opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autism, enabling them to access education, develop skills, and secure meaningful employment. Our outcomes speak for themselves, with over 80% of candidates moving into paid employment – an achievement that far exceeds the national average of 4.8%.

This new central hub will allow us to enhance our unique programmes, which combine education, employment training and on-going support. Importantly, our new location will provide a powerful platform to showcase the capabilities of our candidates to wider society. By operating a high-standard café and bar in such a visible and accessible location, we hope to inspire members of the public and local businesses to rethink what people with learning disabilities can achieve.

This spectacular and historic building will put Team Domenica – and our candidates – at the very heart of Brighton. It will become a beacon of hope and opportunity for people with learning disabilities, showing the world what they can achieve when given the right support, respect, and belief. With this new home, we will change lives and, in doing so, change perceptions for the better.

Rosa Monckton MBE

Key features of our new premises

• Enhanced education facilities, including sensory and therapeutic spaces, private mentoring rooms, and full-sized classrooms, ensuring candidates receive the tailored support they need to thrive.
• Dedicated spaces for creative and social enrichment activities, such as pottery, yoga, and community events, designed to foster confidence and connection.

• A café-bar where candidates will receive hands-on hospitality training in a professional setting, giving them vital experience and visibility in a high-footfall area.
  

A landmark moment for Team Domenica

The project is a response to growing demand for our services and the pressing need to address the underrepresentation of people with learning disabilities in the workforce. By demonstrating the remarkable contributions that our candidates can make, Team Domenica hopes to drive a much-needed change in societal attitudes.

This achievement has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Sigrid Rausing Trust and the MariaMarina Foundation, as well as other dedicated partners. Their contributions have helped bring this vision closer to reality, and Team Domenica extends its heartfelt gratitude to all those who believe in its mission.

The charity is now focused on transforming the building into a centre of excellence for education, training, and community engagement. Our new facility is set to open in stages from late 2025, and we look forward to welcoming the public to see the incredible achievements of our candidates first-hand.