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 On April 25th, we welcomed Sam and Annalie, stars of 'Kitchen Impossible,' to our Country Centre in preparation for our fine dining event, Food 4 Thought.
Before we got into the evening, we had a whole day of activities where the people we support got to meet and spend some one-on-one time with the Kitchen Impossible team. The morning commenced with a Q&A, where we were also joined online by the show's stars, Beth and Sophia. Lots of great questions were asked about the Channel 4 series, how to prepare for interviews, and even recipe suggestions were floating around. There was an opportunity for photos with Sam and Annalie before we headed outside to give Sam a grand tour of the farm, particularly the Alpacas! But the clock ticked on, and it was time to get ready for the main event. The tables were set, and with an outfit change later, the teams were ready to welcome our special guests. With Prosecco at the ready, we gathered in the conference room to mingle and decide on how many raffle tickets to buy. Who would want to pass on the opportunity to win a 7-day retreat in Cornwall? Or a brand-new HP laptop? Nintendo Switch? Swarovski Earrings? It was an impressive list of goods to be won! 7 pm rang, and everyone got seated in the Quarry Café. Sue Livett, Managing Director of Aldingbourne Trust, was first up to welcome everyone and share the concept of Food 4 Thought. She spoke of how we were inspired by Michel Roux Jr.'s Kitchen Impossible Series and how we put our thoughts and feelings into action. In a room full of local businesses and change-makers, we didn't just speak about Supported Employment; we delivered it. We created an opportunity for these brilliant staff members to shine and how, given the chance, they can be any one of these businesses' biggest assets. They ran the show, from the meeting and greeting to preparing the food, serving and topping up glasses, and chatting with guests. Hayley Prince shared with us, "I am struggling to put into words how amazing last night was! I came away feeling so inspired and proud of what you have all achieved. It felt incredible to be involved in something so special." We created 14 paid opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autism, who put on a brilliant show for 65 paying guests on the night. We could not be prouder! Congratulations, and thank you to everyone involved. Are you interested in learning more about our Supported Employment service, WorkAid? Visit our website: https://www.supportedemploymentwestsussex.org/workaid.html Written by Lizzie Williams. For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected]  We are thrilled to celebrate Lizi Atkinson's incredible achievement in running the London Marathon on April 21st this year for Aldingbourne Trust.
Lizi has a special connection to the Trust, having frequently visited Aldingbourne Country Centre when she was a PA for a young person with autism. She has seen firsthand the positive impact our services have, and for Lizi, Aldingbourne is a "safe and happy place for everyone" that was always at the top of her list for a Great Day Out. She is no stranger to the marathon scene, as this was her third one. Her first was a virtual run around Chichester, and she had the thrill of running the London Marathon for the first time just a couple of years ago. After securing a ballot place for this year, she was excited at the chance to run again. Lizi shared, "Race day was fantastic - such an electric atmosphere!". Despite hitting a tough spot after mile 20, the support from the crowds spurred her on to the finish line. Not one to rest on her laurels, Lizi then went and participated in the Worthing 10k just a week later. Now, as she takes a well-deserved break to focus on wedding planning, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks. Having raised £560, her fundraising efforts will make a significant difference to the work of the Trust. Congratulations from us all, Lizi! Written by Lizzie Williams. For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected] |
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