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"Aldingbourne really did come to town! It was a fantastic way of celebrating many amazing artists and getting into the Christmas spirit. Was great fun for all the family and my little one loved it.” said Jessica Head, Creative Arts Volunteer
On Saturday 7th December, Aldingbourne Trust hosted a Christmas Market at No73 Aldwick Road, Bognor Regis. Local crafters and the people they support had their own stalls selling Christmas crafts and gifts, along with a Christmas tombola, games, refreshments, and a visit from Father Christmas. Peter Spencer who is one of the creative arts students, had his own stall selling Christmas items and even hosted a book signing for his book the Bluegaloo. “The Christmas Market on Saturday went very well - it was lovely to see so many visitors at No73 - thank you to everyone who came! We all had a great time and raised over £800 for our Creative Arts Studio” said Casper Rioseco, Community Solutions & Co-production Manager at the Aldingbourne Trust. 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.  “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. 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.
One of the people we support, Peter Spencer is a very keen illustrator who attends the creative art classes, and he has been nominated for The Learning Disability and Autism Leaders List for his outstanding contribution to art. The winners of the awards will be announced later this year in December.
Peter has Tourettes, which can make him both excited and nervous, but he loves to use his imagination and writing stories. Peter has already written and illustrated his first children’s book ‘The Bluegaloo’, which he created with a little help from his family and friends. Peter says “When I was a young boy I read lots of children’s books by many famous authors and have always wanted to write, dreaming of creating many wonderful and fantastical creatures”. He wants to be able to write stories for children and young adults around the world. He says he could never let anything get in the way of his dream of becoming an author. “It is important that you too keep your eyes and ears open and one day you might get an idea for your own story and make your own dream come true”. He likes to help other people to deal with their speaking and learning disabilities and enjoys giving support and friendship, hopefully helping them to achieve their own dreams. He is also currently helping the fundraising team by drawing illustrations for their charity cookbook. If you would like more information about our Creative Arts Studio, please visit our website www.aldingbournetrust.org/creative-arts, and to find our more about our award winning charity that supports adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to live the lives they choose.
Helen and the CAS Team are continuously amazed at the quality and skill in Matthew’s drawings. As a creative project, Helen asked Matthew if he would be interested in illustrating a colouring book based on the farm animals at the Aldingbourne Country Centre, Matthew was thrilled with the idea.
Working from photographs of some of the farm animals at the Aldingbourne Country Centre, Matthew has created some wonderful illustrations that really capture the characters of our animals. With help from Creative Media and the marketing team, we have been able to produce Matthew’s first colouring book, which will be available to purchase in our Aldingbourne Country Centre gift shop. Matthew thoroughly enjoyed working on the project, and is already working on ideas for his next book. |
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