In-Deep Community Task Force is a grassroots charity working with isolated older people and children with Special Education Needs (SEND) and their families in Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth and surrounding areas.

We aim to promote friendship and understanding in the community, and tackle loneliness and isolation by bringing people together to take part in meaningful activities. We offer a range of services and support for those in need.

In-Deep is run by a board of trustees and our activities are supported by volunteers, including volunteers with disabilities, students and people from the local area. In-Deep volunteers were thrilled to be awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2013; this is the most esteemed award for volunteers of any charity, and a testament to their dedication.

In-Deep’s Mission Statement

We want to promote an inclusive society where everyone feels welcome and connected to the community. Our vision for the future is to extend our activities to different boroughs in London, so that more people can come to our activities and experience friendship.

In-Deep’s foundation and expansion

In-deep was founded in 2002 by Colin Chapman MBE. Colin had spent a short period of his life sleeping rough where he struggled with alcohol and drug misuse in South Westminster, During the time Colin was homeless, he witnessed the isolation experienced by the elderly, and so, after coming through his own problems with alcohol and drug misuse, he set up In-Deep.

Colin and Emma Chapman MBE (Secretary of In-Deep) have a son diagnosed with autism and epilepsy. In 2017, In-Deep’s work expanded even further to begin supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. Colin and Emma observed the vast difference that music made when facing challenges on this journey, and this inspired them to establish In-Deep’s music therapy service, which has now expanded to a growing Children and Families service.

Lived experience helps In-Deep empathise with service users and identify gaps in provision where further support is needed.

Royal recogniton

Colin was awarded an MBE for founding In-Deep and for services to the community of South London in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List of 2012. Emma was awarded an MBE in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to preventing isolation among older people and children with special needs and their families during the coronavirus pandemic. These were immense honours and a real inspiration to all those involved with In-Deep.