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The Aldingbourne Trust is proud to be named Goodwood’s Charity of the Year for the next two years, and this summer we’ve had the incredible opportunity to be part of Goodwood’s much-loved Breakfast Club events.
These popular public gatherings, held over four themed Sundays each summer, welcome car enthusiasts and curious visitors alike to the famous Motor Circuit, where the machines and their owners are the stars. After 19 years of free Breakfast Clubs, Goodwood is now inviting the community to use these events as a force for good—raising vital funds for us, their 2025 Estate charity partner, Aldingbourne Trust. Just five miles from Goodwood, our charity provides life-changing support for adults with learning disabilities or autism. Through supported living, job training, and social enterprises, we help people develop skills, gain employment, and live meaningful, independent lives. Our work empowers individuals to positively contribute to their communities, building confidence and independence along the way. One of our many highlights is the Aldingbourne Country Centre, a fantastic destination for families and visitors. Set in beautiful countryside, the centre offers a welcoming space where people can explore, learn, and enjoy a day out together. With hands-on activities, gardens, animals, and accessible facilities, it’s a place that brings the local community together while showcasing the opportunities we provide for the people we support. This year, attendance to Breakfast Club has remained free, but Goodwood has encouraged donations—suggesting £50 from each vehicle owner and £10 from each guest. Thanks to the generosity of the community, Goodwood has already raised over £42,000 this year, alongside raising awareness of our work. Even more special, the people we support have been directly involved—attending the events, enjoying the unique atmosphere, and even lending a hand alongside our fantastic volunteers. We are deeply grateful to Goodwood for opening up these opportunities, and to our dedicated volunteers who make our participation possible. This partnership isn’t just about great cars—it’s about driving real change, creating life-changing opportunities, and sharing the joy of the Aldingbourne Trust with families and the wider community.  A group supported by our team enjoyed an unforgettable Forest Day at Goodwood this week, leaving with big smiles, new skills, and treasured memories.
On behalf of James, Ray, Robert, Duncan, Josh, Matthew, Eddie, Tom, Steven, Kirstie, Louise, Hannah, and Carol, we wish to thank Goodwood for hosting a day that celebrated nature, creativity, and wellbeing in the most magical way. The experience was filled with hands-on activities and moments of pure joy:
To top it off, the group made a special stop at the Goodwood Farm Shop on the way home to pick up more goodies, ensuring the day’s joy lasted just a little bit longer. “This day was a perfect mix of nature, creativity, and community,” said Clare, speaking for the whole team. “We’re so grateful to Goodwood for making it possible – it’s experiences like this that stay with people for a lifetime.”  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. In partnership with the Aldingbourne Trust, Bognor Regis Library is creating a community garden space for everyone to enjoy. The project has been supported through National Lottery funding, by local volunteers, corporate support from Southern Water and Outside Interest, and with help from the people that the Trust supports with learning disabilities and/or autism.
Those who have been involved in the project recently gathered together to celebrate what they have achieved. Lisa Palmer the community garden project coordinator at the Aldingbourne Trust said “Thank you to everyone for your help and your ideas in creating this community space. We are so proud of the garden we have achieved together and we are so proud of you for showcasing your talents in a way that will benefit everyone”. The garden creates an inclusive environment for people of all abilities to enjoy and relax in, and will also host activities by the library for children and for people living with dementia. The garden furniture and planters have all been made by the Wood Recycling team at the Aldingbourne Country Centre, creating peaceful spaces to sit and gardening areas that are accessible to all. “The garden is here because of you, it’s wonderful for you to see what you have been working on to be pulled together. It has brought a breath of fresh air to this community area” said Lisa. The artwork painted around the garden has been created by the Trust’s Creative Arts students from Aldwick Road. Where they have created a giant bookcase and included characters from Wind in the Willows and Alice in Wonderland. Sue Livett, Managing Director of the Aldingbourne Trust said “It’s amazing! Everyone loves what you have achieved. You have created something for the community which will be here for years to come”. Visit the Trust’s website to find out more about their involvement in local community projects and to for more information about their award winning charity that supports adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to live independent lives www.aldingbournetrust.org.  The Aldingbourne Trust is inviting the local community to take part in a worldwide initiative to learn how to save a life.
The Restart a Heart campaign (RSAH) is an annual initiative led by the Resuscitation Council (UK) in partnership with The British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross, St John Ambulance, and Yorkshire Ambulance service which aims to improve the low numbers of people surviving out of hospital cardiac arrests. In 2018 over 238,000 people were trained in CPR by regional Ambulance Services and private providers as part of the campaign. On and around Wednesday 16th October 2019, an alliance of organisations all over the world will be coming together to increase public awareness of cardiac arrests and increase the number of people trained in life saving CPR by organising and facilitating training events. This is the sixth annual Restart a Heart campaign and the second annual World Restart a Heart (WRSAH) campaign. As part of this worldwide initiative, Aldingbourne Trust have teamed up with Avanti Training Solutions www.avantitraining.co.uk, to hold free CPR training for the local community at the Aldingbourne Country Centre on Friday 18th October from 11.30am. You are invited to come along on the day to find out more, and learn the basic CPR skills needed to help make a difference when it matters. John Bowles, Avanti Training Solutions said “As a first aid training provider, I'm very much aware of the science and changes to CPR guidelines and how these have increased survival rates in recent years, yet we in the UK still lag behind other countries. My mission is to raise public awareness of sudden cardiac arrest out of hospital. You have less than one in ten chance of surviving SCA in the UK.” “It is important to teach members of the public how to help restart the heart of someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest (their heart has stopped beating). Giving them the knowledge and confidence to recognise and then start providing them with life saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR and use a public AED device.” Michelle Mckinley Bell, Enterprise & Development Manager at Aldingbourne Trust said “We are so pleased to be hosting this event, to be able to give the local community the opportunity to learn these essential skills which could help save someone’s life.” Aldingbourne Trust is a local charity that supports people with learning disabilities and/or autism to have the same opportunities as everyone else to live independent lives. Visit our website www.aldingbournetrust.org for information on our venue hire facilities, and more about our award winning charity. |
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