The Cromehurst Foundation teaches living skills to youth with special needs to maximize their independent living potential.

The Cromehurst Foundation was the brainchild of the long-serving headmaster of Cromehurst Special School, Mr Ken Johnson OAM, over 30 yrs. ago. The Cottage at 26 Tryon Rd, Lindfield (beside the school) was earmarked for demolition but he convinced the Department of Education to allow the Foundation to set up an advanced living skills program which would provide residential & instructional care for children with an intellectual disability aiming to reduce dependence & increase independence regarding activities of daily living. Examples include making beds, showering & personal hygiene, making lunches, helping to prepare dinners, handling money etc. The students attend school during the day but live-in up to 4 nights in a week. Currently about 25 students or ex-students of Cromehurst Special School participate in the program with most spending 1 or 2 weeks per Term in the Cottage. The training is undertaken by our live-in living skills educator who is highly trained in disability care & the annual costs of running the program is over $80,000. There is no Government funding for the foundation. Dr John Carter AO is the Chairman of the Foundation which is incorporated & registered as a Charity. The Board meets a number of times per year with the welfare of the Cottage being top priority. We are always looking at innovative ways of assisting children with intellectual disability & the more solid our financial platform, the more opportunities there will be to broaden the program and to introduce children with more severe disabilities.