This past weekend (7th of September) marked the return of 'Let's Get Talking About Suicide' for its second year. Leading up to this occasion, organiser and MAKE manager Sarah Mitas undertook the impressive challenge of walking 100km in just 30 days to raise awareness and funds for the event. 

Sarah grew up in the countryside and recalls long, sun-filled walks, snowball fights, and boat trips down the canal with her father as a child. "I was always a daddy's girl and jumped at any opportunity to spend time with him, whether that was getting up early to see him off to work or sneaking to the pub with him, whether he liked it or not!"

But at 13 years old, Sarah's world was turned upside down. "I was picked up from school at lunchtime and told the tragic news that my father had taken his own life. My world as I had known it ended in that conversation. In the months to come, we moved away from Odiham to Portsmouth. My dad became a memory, and not one that was talked about. I was surrounded by people who had never known his kind, gentle nature, and the man I missed."

Sarah wanted to ensure that nobody felt that alone again. And so, the seeds for the 'Let's Get Talking About Suicide' event were planted. Still, it wasn't until last year that, with the support of Aldingbourne Trust, the event finally became a reality.

Preparations went a little differently this year as Sarah took on a mighty challenge: walking 100km in 30 days during the Euros. 

"The walk was brilliant and something I'll carry on," Sarah explains. "It improved my mood and gave me time to free my mind to cope with my own daily challenges. Time was an issue though - days fill up, and trying to walk 100km in 30 days is a challenge after all!"

Even when her husband Mat faced setbacks, Sarah stayed committed. "He got blisters, so we had to make up a bit of time for his feet to recover."

When asked how Mat reacted to the challenge, Sarah laughs: "He laughed and said, 'Let's do this!' Mat is the most supportive person and knows how much suicide prevention means to me. I've suffered my own mental ill health throughout the years, and he recognises the signs. He's a guiding light in some of the darkest places my mind has visited."

The event itself was a festival of life, offering free well-being activities like yoga, storytelling, fitness, and creative workshops. A moving addition this year was the launch of the "Speak Their Name" Quilt, dedicated to those lost to suicide, alongside a memorial tent where people could pay their respects.

Looking ahead, Sarah's hopes for the event are simple but powerful: "I'm hoping in the future the festival will become one of living life. In an ideal world, suicide will not be present. Lives matter, and people enjoying their time on this planet matter. A zero-suicide society is my mission. I want everyone to feel valued and loved, to know their worth, and to realise just how much they shine."

Sarah knows that everyone's experience with loss is different, but she shares her own thoughts for others who've lost loved ones to suicide: "I want people to realise there is no shame in losing someone to suicide. Their lives deserve to be celebrated - they lived, they loved, and they weren't just a statistic. My dad was not a number. He was a son, husband, brother, friend, and a beautiful human who didn't see his own worth."

"I'd like to thank my husband Mat for his constant support and for his constant learning in a subject he finds alien. My children, who talk about the granddad they never met, remind me daily what my worth to them is. Michelle McKinley Bell, Sue Livett, and the Trust for giving me the opportunity to support the community and to honour my dad's memory. And to my team and the services that attended last year for their support."

The 'Let's Get Talking About Suicide' event brought together a diverse range of people, activities, and stories, all focused on breaking the silence around mental health. We'll share more about the day in an upcoming blog, so stay tuned! For now, you can visit our website to find out more about the magic of MAKE: https://www.aldingbournetrust.org/make 


Written by Lizzie Senn. For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected]

Community is at the heart of what we do, so we're excited to share our latest volunteering project at Bognor Library Community Garden! Led by our passionate Volunteer Coordinator, Tracy, a team of volunteers has been meeting every Thursday morning to breathe new life into this neglected space.

The Bognor Library Community Garden was originally funded by a generous £10,000 donation from Southern Water in 2018. From then on, it was created to promote social cohesion through the joys of gardening. Although it wasn't until 2019 that the garden was officially opened and maintained for several years, last year saw it left unattended. Now, thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and a generous £200 donation from Covers in Bognor—a local builders merchant—we're transforming this underused space so everyone can enjoy it.

Tracy provides regular updates and photos across the Trust, and the comments are always filled with praise for the team's outstanding work. Gemma Baldwin, Head of People & Development, said, "The garden is looking fantastic! Thank you, Tracy, to you and your team of volunteers – you've done an amazing job."

The garden will also serve as a gathering place for many within our network, such as MyNetwork, MyNetwork Plus, and other events. But we aim to make it a welcoming haven for everyone in the community. 

Make sure to follow our Facebook (@aldingbourneTrustUK) and Instagram (@aldingbournetrust) pages to catch the latest on this! 

​Written by Lizzie Williams. For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected]

On the 13th of July, Gig Buddies completed their summer fundraising walk by strolling all the way around Portsea Island. 

In preparation for this challenge, they've been walking in various postcodes of Portsmouth each month. Luckily, when the day came to, they were blessed with perfect weather—mild temperatures and some cloud cover—making the 15-mile journey a very comfortable and enjoyable one.

Participants approached the walk with varying levels of preparation. Alan, a regular walker, took a few long walks before the event. Blossom, who had never walked 15 miles, was surprised by her own endurance. While Dave, with minimal preparation, felt very accomplished at his age! 

There was lots to enjoy along the way, as Portsmouth is not short of breathtaking views along the southern coastline. Some got to explore parts of the area they had never seen before. Despite Lynda's familiarity with the city as a District Nurse, she was amazed by the new places she discovered.

Luckily, there were no complications on the day. Their biggest challenge, in fact, was encouraging those who were unaccustomed to such a long distance. Organiser Mike Harris shared, "For the walk itself, the challenge was in the timing of stages to ensure whoever we were meeting for sections were met on time."

The end of the walk was a moment of triumph, and in particular, two walkers who walked every mile throughout the year were rewarded with Gig Buddies hoodies as a token of their dedication. Mike shared, "The sense of achievement people felt after completing the walk and the fact that not many had ever covered 15 miles in one go before was incredibly rewarding."

When asked about their favourite part of the day, Morna shared, "Chatting to people was lovely and seeing people being so proud of their achievements was great."

Please consider donating if you feel inspired and wish to contribute to their fundraiser. They are raising funds for future events and helping to subsidise some hoodies for the winter. Donate here: https://www.aldingbournetrust.org/store/p261/Gig-Buddies-Walk-Portsmouth.html

​Written by Lizzie Williams. For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected]

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."
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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] ​

On Wednesday, 13th of March, a group from ACC participated in The Jim Green Challenge at Ardingly South Of England Showground. Held annually in honour of the Society's founder of educational outreach programs, Jim Green, the event was judged by a team of regional experts. Whilst we didn't bring home the trophy for the overall winner, we're thrilled to share that The Creative Arts Studio did win first place for their model of a sheep! 

The Challenge showcased a diverse selection of competitions, including tasks that had to be completed in advance. These ranged from crafting a model sheep from recycled materials to arranging dried flowers in a vase, constructing a wooden toy with hand-held tools, and baking sheep-themed vanilla cupcakes. 

The first practical assessment of the day was preparing a flowerbed with compost and tidying the edges for spring planting, which Stephen and Dean expertly did. Next, Eloise and Hannah cultivated spring bulbs in a planter. Stephen identified pond life before the team finished the day's events by constructing a self-supporting scarecrow. 

Clare Hennin shared, "The Jim Green Challenge is always a fantastic event to be involved in; it’s a great chance for The People we Support to showcase their talents & teamwork skills. They take great pleasure in representing The Trust and a lot of work goes into getting their entries prepared."

A visit from Her Royal Highness, Duchess of Edinburgh, made the day extra special. HRH's attendance comes after she was appointed president of The South of England Agricultural Society for 2024. Everyone had the chance to meet HRH, with Clare and Dean getting to formally greet her whilst showing off Creative Arts' winning sheep. After the awards ceremony, Eloise presented The Duchess with a posy.

Congratulations to everyone who took part in this year's Jim Green Challenge. All of the entries were met with compliments and great feedback from the judges. We can't wait to return next year!

​Written by Lizzie Williams. For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected] ​

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Greening Arundel! In early 2023, organisations in Arundel came together to establish Greening Arundel. Driven by a shared concern about the impact of climate change on their community, this network works together to make this market town cleaner and greener.

Three members of Greening Arundel and an Arundel Town Councillor recently got together at Aldingbourne Country Centre. We also had the privilege to draw in Brent Lodge, a wildlife hospital that cares for 3,000 wildlife patients a year, with whom we have had the pleasure of working in the past. Following the meeting, we took our special guests on a grand tour of our Country Centre. Everyone was impressed by the meaningful work carried out by the people we support here.

Support Worker Clare Seaby shared, "Greening Arundel have several projects that they would like us to help with. The people we support love working with this community group & are excited to be part of these positive changes for the future."

Once weather conditions improve, several plans are in motion as we think about what's next. These include assisting in maintaining the rewilded green spaces and encouraging biodiversity. We are also looking forward to a much bigger project involving the cleanup and planting of a sizable, neglected green space near Arundel Station. Watch this *green* space!

Written by Lizzie Williams. For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected] ​

In a touching tribute, our social enterprise, MAKE in Portsmouth, held a small art exhibition on February 9th at Stephen Morgan MP's Southsea office. The event was dedicated to the late Roger Fowler, a cherished member of our MAKE team who passed away in September. 

MAKE manager Sarah Mitas shared, "The highlight of the evening was to share stories and artwork of Roger with his parents. He was an incredible artist and spent his younger years learning screen printing with his dad. He loved antiques and spent time in junk shops looking for items which he often drew."

The event celebrated the artistic talents of those we support at MAKE. Although not a fundraiser, the evening saw many pieces of art sold, raising an impressive £523. These funds will be directed towards the art department in Roger's memory, contributing to his legacy.

Written by Lizzie Williams. For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected] ​

We're excited to share that WorkAid, our supported employment scheme, has been shortlisted for the British Diversity Awards 2024 in the Community Project of the Year category. The ceremony is scheduled for the 20th of March, 2024, at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House London, with hosts Dr Ranj Singh and Gillian Joseph.​

WorkAid focuses on connecting adults with learning disabilities and autism with fitting work placements. It provides skills training, job application assistance, and supported employer inductions. This personalised approach not only readies candidates for work but also supports employers. WorkAid strives to challenge workplace perceptions, aiming to boost confidence, independence, and self-esteem among those they support.

Rachel Benson, WorkAid Manager, highlights the program's impact: "Every journey towards work is as unique as the people we are supporting. Yes, we have contractual targets, but our work is so much more than numbers; it's about helping someone who hasn't felt able to leave their home in years take their first tentative steps. It's about enabling someone to overcome the hurdles of just getting to an interview, which others take for granted. It's about showing someone they are seen, cared about and worthy. You can't use a numerical value to tell each story of the 1010 people with learning disabilities and autistic people who have reached out to us for help since our current contract began in April 2020."

It is an honour to be among the Top 10 in Britain for the British Diversity Awards. Whatever happens on the night, this is tremendous recognition for our wonderful WorkAid team.
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Written by Lizzie Williams. For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected] ​

Aldingbourne Trust and Camerados have partnered to create a welcoming space at Creative Spaces. Camerados, focused on supporting social interaction, envisions Public Living Rooms where people can gather, share stories, and enjoy a cuppa without judgment.

Formerly known as the Creative Arts Studio at No.73 in Bognor, Creative Spaces aspires to be a true 'Community of Place and People'. Any day of the week, you'll find our artists immersed in creations that express themselves and acquire new skills in an accessible and friendly environment.

While art often goes beyond the spoken language, we value every chance to connect with those around us. Head of Enterprise & Development Michelle McKinley Bell shared, "Imagine a place where you feel safe, with like-minded people who don't try to judge you or fix each other, who listen and respect you. That's a Public Living Room. " 

Join us at Creative Spaces every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. without the pressure of expectations, leaders, or set agendas. You can also explore our MAKE project in Portsmouth, where you'll find another inviting Public Living Room. It's an opportunity to mingle with like-minded people, share stories, and enjoy a friendly atmosphere. A small donation for a cuppa or some biscuits is all that's asked – a nominal contribution for the connections that await.

Written by Lizzie Williams. For any media inquiries, please get in touch with [email protected] ​

Today, we worked together to give our community garden in Bognor Library a very much needed refresh! 🐝🌱

We want to give a huge thank you to 'My Sisters' House', who kindly offered to help us transform our space! 💜

Being outside, getting active, and getting our hands dirty really improves our mental health. We braved the cold and thoroughly enjoyed teaming up and making a difference in this lovely space. 

Today marks the end of Winter Wellbeing Week. ❄️ We hope you've enjoyed seeing what we've been up to this week!