Number 73 hosted their first Games evening on Thursday 23rd January as part of their new co-production programme.  The sessions are being led by the people we support who have a learning disability and/or autism, who enjoy taking part in Roleplaying Games.
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Their first night led by Tony Jolly was a great success, where they enjoyed Roleplaying Games, Warhammer, D&D, wargames, model building and painting. They are looking forward to their next session on Thursday 6thFebruary. 
 

Over at our Creative Arts Studio at No73 Aldwick Road Bognor Regis, we have launched our new Monthly Magic Award!

This award recognises selfless acts of kindness and support by the people who use our services each month, these awards are also awarded by the people we support.
Congratulations Lilian Barlow on receiving the very first Monthly Magic Award, handed over by Josephine Goddard.
 
We look forward to finding out who will be presented with the Monthly Magic Award in February. 


Casper Beade Rioseco, Community Solutions & Co-production Manager

Gig Buddies Portsmouth had the pleasure of being invited to the Portsmouth City Council annual LD Celebration and Learning event at Gunwharf Quays on Friday, 24th January. We took our fantastic volunteer, Holli, to spread the word of what we do and how we can support Portsmouth-based adults with a learning disability to expand their social circle and enjoy leisure activities with a volunteer. The event was a great success, with lots of interest in the Gig Buddies project, so much so we ran out of signup forms.
 
Holli lead her first ever presentation and did a wonderful job in promoting Gig Buddies to the many Care Providers, Healthcare Professionals, Parents and Carers – well done Holli! We are looking forward to grow the project with the help of these events; to showcase the value of volunteering and making a difference in your local community.’
 
Mike Harris, Gig Buddies Portsmouth Project Coordinator

A group of clients visited the East Wittering Fire Station on Thursday 16th January to learn about fire safety, the importance of smoke alarms in the home and how fire fighters respond to emergencies such as fires, car crashes and sea rescues. The clients had a great time as they got to sit in a fire engine and rescue boat and they even had a go with the fire hoses.  

The Trust would like to thank to our lovely volunteer Claire Seaby for arranging the visit, Ruby for managing the logistics of getting us all there, Louise for driving and finally massive thanks to Neil and John, the fire fighters, for showing us around the station.

​By, Rob Nettleton, Digital Media Group Lead 
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The Aldingbourne Trust as pleased to be working in collaboration with PACSO (Parent and Carers Support Organisation), which is a Chichester based charity that supports children and young people aged 0-25 with additional needs. They provide respite and leisure activities, as well as opportunities such as work experience.

On Wednesday the 15th January, PASCO hosted their first Dining Club at our Drop In Centre at No73 Aldwick Road.  This is the first of a series of sessions they will be running,  teaching the people they support with skills such as laying the table, serving drinks, preparing meals and the all important washing up!  The Trust is pleased to be helping them by providing the facilities for them to use, and you can see by the photos that they really enjoyed their first session. 

The Trust was recently invited to take part in the Small Business Saturday event in London.  One of the people we support, Andrew Pickthall went to the event to represent the Trust along with Leah Moore from our marketing team. 
To make the most of his visit to London, Andrew took the opportunity to sight see whilst visiting the city.  Having taken the train to London Victoria, they took the tube to Westminster station where they took in the sights of Buckingham Palace.  Walking to Parliament Square, Andrew enjoyed seeing the statues, including the one of Winston Churchill.