Supporting in a Changed World

Aldingbourne Trust is as a local award-winning charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and / or autism to reach their full potential and develop skills across Sussex and Hampshire since 1978.
 
Due to the current circumstances as a result of Covid 19 and following government guidelines we have closed all our enterprises including the Aldingbourne Country Centre to the public and the people we support. We continue to provide daily support for everyone in our Supported Living services all be it in a different way. With the use of technology and social media the Aldingbourne Trust has adapted to a new way of supporting and interacting with people.
 
Across all of our projects there are many creative and innovative ideas implemented and it is encouraging to see so many people ‘thinking out of the box’ and providing care differently whilst adapting to a new way of living. We have had a great deal of support from our staff and volunteers to ensure the Aldingbourne Trust continues to support people.
 
Dan Donavan, one of the people we support at MAKE in Portsmouth, has completed his food hygiene training online with a little help from Sarah Mitas, Manager at Make. Regular activity packs with educational activities are being delivered to peoples doors ensuring the learning and support continues.
 
One of the closed Facebook groups that we have created is called ‘ACC Live TV with Jen & Em’ this is presented by Jen Sears and Emily Field, staff members at Aldingbourne Trust. This group was created to stay connected and engage with the people we support, staff and volunteers for their wellbeing. Every day we spread happiness & cheer through live videos, quizzes, daily activities and we have even had professional singers perform weekly. 
 
One of these singers is Sarah Wood from Funky Junction, a local fun-soul-disco band. Sarah has delivered exciting and professional performances weekly that has everyone dancing in their front rooms. Sarah told us‘I have absolutely loved performing every week!  More importantly I've loved becoming part of an amazing Aldingbourne family. Singing has been my passion ever since I can remember, and to be able to share that and bring joy into people's lives – or at least their living rooms - is an incredible experience. Lock down is hard for everyone so finding the silver linings around us is important and Aldingbourne have certainly been my silver lining’.
 
Another great performer is Dawn Gracie, who has been taking us back in time to the 50’s & 60’s with some fantastic vintage vibes every Monday evening. Dawn “has had an absolute ball” and has even introduced a bubble machine into one of her performances as a prop.
 
The feedback we have been given from the people we support; staff and volunteers has been overwhelming. This group has really formed an ‘Aldingbourne Family’ says Diana Roba, one of our staff members, and “has helped me and my friends by entertaining us and making us happy” said Sam Knight, one of the people we support.
  
On behalf on the Aldingbourne Trust we would like to say a huge thank you to all our staff, volunteers, and supporters for truly making a difference and adapting creatively during this difficult time.