Mosaic through the Decades
1898
Where it all began
Our founding story.
In the heart of Leicester, more than a century ago, a quiet act of kindness sparked something extraordinary. What began as a simple afternoon tea for disabled people and their families grew into a lifelong commitment to inclusion, dignity, and community. This is the story of how a young woman’s empathy and a shared story, planted the seeds of a movement that still resonates today.
1900s
Our first steps
A new era begins.
As the 20th century began, the Guild took its first bold steps toward lasting impact. From borrowed rooms to the open sea, each moment was rooted in a growing sense of purpose — to create space, both physical and emotional, where disabled people could thrive. These years laid the foundation for something bigger: not just a building, but a movement shaped by community, dignity, and the joy of shared experience.
1910s
Better together
All for good causes.
As the Guild entered a new decade, the spirit of togetherness grew stronger than ever. Through rose sales, garden parties, and generous partnerships, members and volunteers proved how much could be achieved when people rallied around a shared purpose. Every event wasn’t just a fundraiser it was a statement of dignity, joy, and unity in action.
Step into the 1910s, where compassion turned community into a powerful force for good.
1920s
Building a community
Hope and a great loss.
The 1920s were a time of ambition, resilience, and heartfelt remembrance. With vision and determination, the Guild pushed forward — from building a long-dreamed-of holiday home to strengthening a growing community of disabled members. Yet this hopeful progress was marked by deep sorrow, as we bid farewell to our founder, Arthur Groves, whose quiet leadership shaped our identity. His legacy carried us forward.
Step into the 1920s, where dreams took shape and a community stood strong in remembrance and resolve.
1930s
Empowered people
A place of belonging.
As the world entered a new decade, the Guild continued to grow not just in numbers, but in confidence and creativity. The opening of our own shop marked a proud milestone, a place where work, dignity, and community came together. Through every handmade item and shared moment, members found purpose and belonging. Though Arthur Groves was no longer with us, his vision of inclusion and quiet strength still echoed through every corner of the Guild.
1940s
A golden moment
50 years of dedication.
Amid the uncertainty and hardship of wartime Britain, the Guild stood firm offering warmth, dignity, and connection when it was needed most. From the founding of a county wide movement to joyful gatherings in country gardens, this decade revealed the quiet strength of community. And in 1948, as we marked our Golden Jubilee, a letter from the King and Queen reminded us just how far compassion and commitment had carried us.
1950s
Time for change
A new chapter.
The 1950s brought profound change, as Britain’s evolving welfare state transformed how support was delivered to disabled people. For the Guild, this meant letting go of familiar spaces and routines like the hum of industry in our hall and the pride of our shopfront while embracing new ways to serve. Through partnerships, resilience, and inspiring personal triumphs, the Guild held steady to its founding purpose.
1960s
Reshaping Attitudes,
Advancing Minds
This chapter of our history celebrates the transformative steps taken by individuals and communities to build a more inclusive, compassionate society. From schoolchildren uniting to support disabled peers, to a bold name change that embraced dignity and respect, to pioneering home support services that empowered independencethese efforts reshaped public perceptions and deepened our collective commitment to equality. Each story reflects how empathy, action, and advocacy helped advance minds and foster lasting change, laying the groundwork for the values we uphold today
1970s
Leading the Way,
Shaping Systems and Support
As the landscape of social care evolved, The Guild stood at the forefront adapting, advocating, and innovating to meet the changing needs of disabled people. This era was defined by forward-thinking action: protecting vital services in challenging times, championing collaboration with policymakers, and launching groundbreaking initiatives like the DIAL service. Through it all, The Guild remained rooted in its mission to offer dignity, information, and meaningful support. These efforts not only strengthened individuals and communities, but also helped shape the systems that continue to serve generations today.
1980s
Path to Parity,
Fight for Equality
The 1980s marked a powerful period of reflection, progress, and perseverance in the pursuit of equality for disabled people. From global advocacy during the International Year of Disabled People to local milestones that honoured decades of service and support, The Guild remained a driving force for change. This chapter highlights bold steps toward inclusion, heartfelt celebrations of legacy, and the lasting impact of valued partnerships. It tells a story of commitment—not just to equality in principle, but to real, lived progress that touched lives and strengthened communities.
1990s
Forward We Go,
100 Amazing Years
As the Guild reached its centenary, it did so not by standing still, but by embracing change, honoring its legacy, and shaping a bold new future. This chapter tells the story of unity, resilience, and reinvention from a powerful merger that expanded services, to heartfelt celebrations of 100 years of impact, and a new name that captured the spirit of progress. Led by the voices and experiences of disabled people, these milestones reflect our enduring mission: to evolve, to empower, and to ensure that every individual is seen, heard, and supported as we step forward together into a new century of care
2000s
Future Begins Now
Act. Empower. Transform.
This era marks a bold step forward where action, empowerment, and transformation became central to everything we do. The Guild, now Mosaic, redefined what it means to support disabled people by prioritising safety, championing choice, and putting lived experience at the heart of service design. From safeguarding reforms to person-led care and vibrant community programmes like Cre8, we moved beyond support to shared leadership. This is the story of how we began building a future shaped with disabled people creative, inclusive, and driven by rights, not charity.
2010s
Unwavering hope,
A New Home
Even in the face of loss and uncertainty, our spirit remained unshaken. This chapter is a testament to perseverance and to dreams deferred but never abandoned. Though one vision for a community hub was heartbreakingly lost, our mission pressed on, driven by hope and the voices of disabled people. From the creation of a purpose-built home at Oak Spinney Park to unforgettable, accessible adventures on land and water, we continued to shape spaces of belonging, freedom, and joy. Through every challenge, we held fast to one belief: that with community, creativity, and determination, all things are possible
2023
Still we shine
125 years of kindness.
In our 125th year, the world paused — but we did not. Through the trials of a global pandemic, the Guild’s unwavering spirit shone brightly, carrying forward a legacy of care that has never faltered. As we look ahead, bold new dreams are taking root: spaces shaped by and for disabled people, where inclusion is not a goal, but a given.
Step into the present day, where 125 years of compassion light the way toward an even more inclusive tomorrow.