Learning Disabilities Pride Week 2019

The Trust recently celebrated Learning Disability Pride Week, which took place across Britain from the 15th to 21st June to celebrate people’s differences.  Throughout the week our social enterprises took part in different activities.
 
The Aldingbourne Country Centre and No 73  took part in a Learning Disability Pride walk on Thursday 20th June, by hosting a daytime and evening walk.  Staff and the people we support from the Aldingbourne Country Centre, took a morning stroll from the drop in centre at Number 73, Aldwick Road.  Some of the people we support also enjoyed an ice cream on route, and had fun making the most out of the community gym equipment along the promenade. 
 
In the evening, 26 people including the people we support, staff and Cllr Kenton Batley from Bognor Regis Town Council, met at our drop in centre at Number 73, Aldwick Road.  They had a great evening walk and everyone enjoyed themselves.  Members of the public were very interested in our cause, and complimented on what a lovely idea the walk was.  Sweet Flamingo’s were also excellent hosts, as the walkers all enjoyed an ice cream in the evening sun. 
 
Cllr Kenton Batley said “I was very pleased to be invited and felt the evening walk went very well.  I was welcomed into the group by the members of No73, who are a great group.  With them all coming together to share and support each other, to show that there is nothing that can stop them living life to the full”.
 
Milton Lodge, one of the Trust’s residential houses also took part with garden party on the Friday evening.  Their manager Claire Lambert proudly tweeted “Music, beer, good food and laughter, celebrating all the fantastic people we support at Milton Lodge with family and friends new and old”.
 
Work Aid, which is a free service to support adults with learning disabilities and / or autism to find employment, have supported the week by sharing success stories on some of the people we support.  These stories are available to read on the Trust’s news blog on our website.
 
The Aldingbourne Trust supports over 500 people with learning disabilities and / or autism in West Sussex and Hampshire.  With over 15 social enterprise schemes including the Aldingbourne Country Centre near Chichester, our Aldwick Road charity shop and Number 73 Aldwick Road Bognor Regis, and MAKE in Portsmouth.  Our social enterprises provide new opportunities for learning, being part of and supporting local communities and reducing our reliance on funding from the state. 
 
People with learning disabilities can and do make a big contribution towards society.  The world is constantly changing, and we want to close the gaps in need and look for ways of doing what we do better.