Aldingbourne Blog
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I am so pleased WorkAid has been recognised with an award for Employee/ Team of the year. The WorkAid team continue to make a positive difference to employers and employees across West Sussex - we’re doing our bit to improve the national picture of people with learning disabilities who want to work, to realise their potential and rights to a life that any of us would expect. Thank you to the Aldingbourne teams and our supporters for a busy and inspiring year.
Sue Livett - Managing Director  “I feel it is good to help someone with Dementia – the pictures we put on are good and help them to remember, and I like the way it looks like a treasure chest.” Said Richard Best, Creative Arts student.
Aldingbourne Trust Creative Arts students at No. 73 Aldwick Road, were delighted to take part in a local Memory box art project to support Dementia. Ruth Frampton from Co-op Funeralcare in Pagham has organised this project, and will be running memory box sessions for the local residents from this December, it will be an ongoing service to help many people in the future. By decorating handmade wooded boxes that have been donated by the Bognor Regis Men’s Shed Charity, the theme for the box is a ‘Trip Down Memory Lane’, and the boxes will reflect different moments or depict objects or people from the past. Chloe Belton, one of the Creative Arts Instructors took on the challenge to decorate the box with students Richard Best and Debbie Mitchell. Debbie’s Mum had Dementia as did Chloe’s Grandfather, so they both felt it was a nice thing to take part in and support local people with Dementia. They all found it rewarding to use their creativity in a way to help another. Helen Wilkinson, Creative Arts Lead said, ‘It is lovely for the Creative Arts Studio to be involved with a community project which helps others.’ There are three boxes, which have been created as part of this project, which will be used to help and support local elderly residents in care homes, and at special coffee mornings and events in Bognor Regis. Ruth can be contacted on 01243 264082 for any additional details or to book a session with the completed boxes. If you would like more information about Creative Arts and the support and services they offer, and to find out more about their award winning charity that supports adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to live independent lives, please visit their website www.aldingbournetrust.org/creative-arts.  “We are very proud of all our artists!” says Helen Wilkinson, Lead Creative Arts Instructor at the Aldingbourne Trusts Creative Arts Studio, Aldwick Road.
The Creative Arts Studio, a social enterprise of the Aldingbourne Trust, gives the people they support opportunity to express themselves and learn new skills in a creative and friendly environment. The Creative Arts students have recently won six prizes at the 2019 Mid-Sussex MENCAP Mary Wheeler Art Competition. Andrew Allen won First prize in the Portraits category, Michael Paddington won First prize for Seasons, Peter Spencer won Second prize for Holidays, Tony Jolly won Third prize for Portraits, Richard Best won Fourth prize for Portraits and Terry Barrett received a Highly Commended for Seasons. “Art is an important form of expression as it transcends communication barriers, with experienced instructors and volunteers the Creative Arts team assist artists in developing their skills from painting and drawing, to printmaking or textiles” Says Helen. If you would like more information about our Creative Arts Studio, please visit our website www.aldingbournetrust.org/creative-arts, and to find out more about our award winning charity that supports adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to live the live independent lives.  Santa Claus will be coming to town on Saturday 7th December. Join in the festive fun with the Aldingbourne Trust from 11am to 2pm at their Creative Arts Studio, No73 Aldwick Road Bognor Regis. Where they will be getting in the festive spirit with a charity fundraising Christmas Market in aid of the My Network project.
My Network Co-ordinator, Debbie Allsopp said, “The Christmas Market is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate their talents. Members have been making items to sell and will be around on the day serving teas, coffees, cake, mulled wine and mince pies.” Students from their Creative Arts Studio have also been making goods for sale, so there will be a selection of Christmas gifts available to purchase, and a Christmas tombola offering the chance to win some wonderful Christmas prizes. There are also tables available for rent at £10, so if you crafty and would like to sell some items please contact Debbie on 01243 838539. My network is located at No73 Aldwick Road, which is a welcoming place where people with learning disabilities can come to seek advice, find out information or simply meet friends and socialise. My Network aims to support social inclusion, and hosts social evenings every Thursday from 6-9pm, activities can include bingo, karaoke and quiz nights. They also provide a Saturday lunch club on alternative weekends, where members are encouraged to plan a meal, shop for the ingredients, then prepare, and cook the meal. The Christmas Market will raise additional funds needed to continue the support they offer to adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. It will also support My Network to provide more events to the local community, continuing their support in providing social inclusion.  “The LOL launch party was an amazing experience. I am so proud to be a part of LOL, and to be able to deliver events that are so important and very much needed.” Says Emily Jazz Behan – Living Out Loud Volunteer
Local community groups, including the Aldingbourne Trust, Apulstock, Stay Up Late and Gig Buddies, launched their new Learning Disability and Autism friendly Clubs night at TAO in Bognor Regis on Wednesday 6th November. Community Solutions Manager, Casper Rioseco said “The launch of Living Out Loud last night was a huge success with a resounding turnout. To see so many people enjoying themselves and feeling that they can be themselves and not have to worry about being judged in a safe and welcoming environment was a beauty to see.” It was a huge turnout in numbers with nearly 250 attendees, with a variety of people of different ages coming together, from different walks of life, showing that having a disability and/or autism is not even a consideration to being able to socialise and most of all have fun. They are already in planning for the next night, which will be taking place on Wednesday 4th December and hope to prove once again there is a demand for a full on clubbing experience within the local area for people with a learning disability and/or autism. “The night was filled with good music, a great atmosphere and many happy faces. I can’t wait for the next one, and to see in the future the impact these events will have on the community.” Said Emily.  "We had a great time and thought the spooky woods were brilliantly done!" said Alexandra Buttle from Bognor Regis.
Visitors were thrilled during the Halloween Spooktacular event at the Aldingbourne Country Centre near Chichester. With record numbers of over 4,000 people attending this annual event held in their woodland walk, which was transformed into a spooky wood extravaganza. There was also a non-scary trail and story time, and everyone was invited to dress up for the occasion, with witches, wizards, skeletons, princesses and fairies attending over the three-day event. "The actors in the woods were such fun and so good with our kids" said Kerry Murray from Worthing. Jen Sears, the events manager at the Country Centre said "This is one of our favourite events, the people we support love to get involved and dress up for the occasion". If you like the idea of supporting a local charity by having fun, the Aldingbourne Country Centre is well worth a visit. Open everyday from 10am until 4.30pm. With a woodland walk, open farm, mini golf, soft play, sand and water play area, wooden train and castle play area, and delicious locally sourced and home-cooked food in our own onsite café which features an indoor slide. The Country Centre is now busy getting ready for their Breakfast with Santa days on the 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th December. Visit their website www.aldingbournetrust.org/breakfast-with-santa for more information and to book, as spaces are selling fast!  The Aldingbourne Trust is one of this year’s finalists for the Sussex Business Awards 2019, having been shortlisted for the Charity of the Year award.
Enterprise and Development Manager of the Aldingbourne Trust, Michelle McKinley Bell said: "We are delighted to have been chosen as a finalist for this award. As a charity we support people to live independent lives providing real-life opportunities to develop their skills within a variety of social enterprises - opening doorways for employment within Sussex. We would not have been able to achieve our success without the support we receive from the local community and our corporate partners." The Aldingbourne Trust provides meaningful and valued opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to live independent and fulfilled lives within their local community. Offering support through housing, employment, leisure, education and training opportunities. Visit www.aldingbournetrust.org for information about their social enterprises and how you can support their charity. |
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