Aldingbourne Trust is as a local award-winning charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and / or autism to reach their full potential and develop skills across Sussex and Hampshire since 1978.
 
Due to the current circumstances as a result of Covid 19 and following government guidelines we have closed all our enterprises including the Aldingbourne Country Centre to the public and the people we support. We continue to provide daily support for everyone in our Supported Living services all be it in a different way. With the use of technology and social media the Aldingbourne Trust has adapted to a new way of supporting and interacting with people.
 
Across all of our projects there are many creative and innovative ideas implemented and it is encouraging to see so many people ‘thinking out of the box’ and providing care differently whilst adapting to a new way of living. We have had a great deal of support from our staff and volunteers to ensure the Aldingbourne Trust continues to support people.
 
Dan Donavan, one of the people we support at MAKE in Portsmouth, has completed his food hygiene training online with a little help from Sarah Mitas, Manager at Make. Regular activity packs with educational activities are being delivered to peoples doors ensuring the learning and support continues.
 
One of the closed Facebook groups that we have created is called ‘ACC Live TV with Jen & Em’ this is presented by Jen Sears and Emily Field, staff members at Aldingbourne Trust. This group was created to stay connected and engage with the people we support, staff and volunteers for their wellbeing. Every day we spread happiness & cheer through live videos, quizzes, daily activities and we have even had professional singers perform weekly. 
 
One of these singers is Sarah Wood from Funky Junction, a local fun-soul-disco band. Sarah has delivered exciting and professional performances weekly that has everyone dancing in their front rooms. Sarah told us‘I have absolutely loved performing every week!  More importantly I've loved becoming part of an amazing Aldingbourne family. Singing has been my passion ever since I can remember, and to be able to share that and bring joy into people's lives – or at least their living rooms - is an incredible experience. Lock down is hard for everyone so finding the silver linings around us is important and Aldingbourne have certainly been my silver lining’.
 
Another great performer is Dawn Gracie, who has been taking us back in time to the 50’s & 60’s with some fantastic vintage vibes every Monday evening. Dawn “has had an absolute ball” and has even introduced a bubble machine into one of her performances as a prop.
 
The feedback we have been given from the people we support; staff and volunteers has been overwhelming. This group has really formed an ‘Aldingbourne Family’ says Diana Roba, one of our staff members, and “has helped me and my friends by entertaining us and making us happy” said Sam Knight, one of the people we support.
  
On behalf on the Aldingbourne Trust we would like to say a huge thank you to all our staff, volunteers, and supporters for truly making a difference and adapting creatively during this difficult time. 

A consortium of charities based in West Sussex, Brighton and Hove is advising people of the steps they can take to avoid scammers during the Coronavirus pandemic. Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove, Age UK Horsham District, Aldingbourne Trust, Citizens Advice in West Sussex (North, South, East), Healthwatch West Sussex, Independent Lives, West Sussex Mind and 4Sight have come together to try and reassure people using their services what to expect and to highlight ways to avoid potential fraudsters. 
 
Reports suggest that there has been an increase in scams since the Coronavirus pandemic began. These include online shopping, where people buy items like hand sanitiser or face masks which never arrive, phishing emails and suspicious callers, offering bogus shopping services or fake Coronavirus tests. 
 
General scam advice includes:

• Don’t open the door to anyone calling ‘out of the blue’. 
• Don’t give money upfront to someone on the doorstep offering to shop for you, unless you know them well and trust them. 
• Be aware that official bodies are not offering coronavirus testing door to door. 
• Do not click links or open emails from senders you don’t know. 
• Buy only from well-known online retailers. 
• Do not give out personal information such as bank details, addresses, existing insurance, pension, or investment details.

 
If someone is unable to get assistance from people they know and trust, the consortium advises people use well known organisations or registered charities for support. It’s useful to know that when visiting people or offering ‘doorstep’ services, the charities listed above will always: 

• Call in advance or have taken a call from the client. 
• Let the client know the name of the person to expect.  
• Wear ID.
• Take payment in advance through online/telephone payments. Payment will not be taken on the doorstep unless the client is already known to the charity and a prior agreement has been made. 

 
Helen Rice, Chief Executive at Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove said “As a group of charities, we’re concerned that scammers might use the Coronavirus as an excuse to target vulnerable people, especially those who are self-isolating and need support at this time. We want people to be aware of online and phone scams as well and to be extra careful about who they open their door to.  It’s sickening that while charities like ours are working tirelessly to help people during this difficult time, fraudsters are seeing an opportunity to profit.”
 For more information on scammers and fraud, please visit:  

• www.actionfraud.police.uk
• www.getsafeonline.org/coronavirus/
• www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire-emergencies-and-crime/crime-prevention/staying-safe-online/

To find out about the services being offered by local charities at this time, please visit the following websites:

Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove – www.ageukwestsussex.org.uk
Age UK Horsham District - https://www.ageuk.org.uk/horshamdistrict
Healthwatch West Sussex  - www.healthwatchwestsussex.co.uk
Citizens Advice West Sussex - www.advicewestsussex.org.uk
Aldingbourne Trust - aldingbournetrust.org
Carers Support West Sussex – www.carerssupport.org.uk 
West Sussex Mind – https://www.westsussexmind.org
4sight - https://www.4sight.org.uk