Aldingbourne News
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 The Aldingbourne Trust are inviting people to join their coastal charity walk on Saturday 14th March, where you can enjoy a beautiful eight mile walk along the seafront from Littlehampton to Bognor Regis
. Abigail Rowe, Fundraising Officer at the Aldingbourne Trust says “This walk will provide an opportunity for the local community to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the South coast, with the proceeds going towards supporting adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. Please join us if you can.” The Aldingbourne Trust completed their new Quarry Building at the Aldingbourne Country Centre, which has enabled them to offer an additional 175 training spaces in their café, conference rooms and shop to support people with learning disabilities and autism living in the local area. The Trust now urgently needs to develop their private space for the adults with disabilities that they support. With over 60,000 visitors a year at the Country Centre it is important that there is a private area away from the general public for the people they support and train, spend their breaks, socialise with each other, receive advice and support. The Charity Walk will help the Trust to raise these much-needed funds to provide this inclusive space for the people they support and enable the Trust to provide more spaces to support adults with learning disabilities and/or autism within West Sussex. Join in the fun on the 14th March where the walk will commence at the Littlehampton Golf Club at 8.30am and finish at the Aldingbourne Trust enterprise Number 73 Aldwick Road, Bognor Regis for tea, coffee and cake. We welcome all ages to take part, and dogs are welcome to take part too. You can register now at www.aldingbournetrust.org/fundraising-events , there is a fee of £10 per person to take part in the walk, which will go towards the Trusts current fundraising project. You can also purchase a t-shirt to wear at the event to show your support, these are also available when you register at £10 each. We would also welcome any additional fundraising through sponsorship and donations, if you would like any more information about how you can support their current fundraising project you can contact their fundraising team on 01243 544607 or lenar@aldingbourne.org .  Don’t play the fool this April 1st! Instead, why not take part in ‘Wacky Feet Wednesday’ and support the Aldingbourne Trust.
We are inviting schools and businesses to join us in the fun on Wednesday 1st April by wearing silly socks, funny shoes, socks and sandals, or by just using your imagination to create something wacky to wear on your feet. By asking people to donate £1 to join in the fun, you could also have fun by holding your own competition to find out who can create the best ‘Wacky Feet’ footwear. We would also love to see your designs, so we invite you to send in your images to us or tag us in on our social media channels by searching for the Aldingbourne Trust. But don’t forget to follow us too, so you can see and join in the fun with everyone else, along with your chance to win a family day pass to our Aldingbourne Country Centre. The Trust is currently raising funds to help us improve the recreational area at the Aldingbourne Country Centre, which provides an inclusive environment for the people we support. We are working to improve the facilities so we can provide more spaces for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism across West Sussex. If you would like more information on our fundraising projects, or you would like to take part in Wacky Feet Wednesday, please visit our website www.aldingbournetrust.org/fundraising. Or contact our fundraising team via fundraising@aldingbourne.org. You can also visit our website to find out more about The Aldingbourne Trust, our award winning charity that supports adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to live independent lives.  “Having worked almost 18 years with ILG, this is one of the things that I am most proud to be part of.” said Jane Middlemiss, Director of Organisational Development at ILG.
Finding a job can be difficult when you have a learning disability and/or autism, having someone to help you along the journey can build the support you need to achieve employment. WorkAid at Aldingbourne Trust run a service to match adults with learning disabilities and/or autism with suitable work placements. By getting to know their clients, they find out what they are passionate about and focus on the abilities of the individual, looking for suitable employment opportunities within the local community. Liz Miles, Employment Consultant at WorkAid, has been working with ILG since 2015. “I approached them with one of my clients, with a speculative letter, asking if they had any vacancies at their warehouse in Burgess Hill. I was very fortunate to meet with Jane Middlemiss, who met with my client and gave him the opportunity of a work trial. From there Work Aid an ILG have been working together and they made us their charity of the year for 2016, helping raise funds for Work Aid.” ILG now have 16 employed staff who have come through the programme, which is approximately 5% of ILG’s workforce. “For me, working with Aldingbourne Trust to recruit staff through the WorkAid programme just makes sound business sense. It enables us to source reliable employees, it increases productivity and it improves the engagement of the whole workforce, who are proud to work for an organisation that supports the employment of adults with a disability.” Said Jane. Liz supports ILG during the whole recruitment process, starting with job coaching, with regular reviews to make sure that everything is working well for all concerned and any extra support is always available from Liz and the WorkAid team. Jane has been fortunate to work with Liz Miles for a number of years now, placing clients in roles in ILG, and after almost 18 years of working with ILG, this is one of the things she is most proud to be part of. Jane is currently responsible for four cleaners at the main office in East Grinstead who joined ILG through the WorkAid programme. They have proven to be hard working, always arriving on time and very polite and eager to learn. It has been very rewarding for Jane and her colleagues to see what a difference having a job means to them, and they have watched their confidence grow. When they first started, one of the cleaners would just come in, say hello, not make eye contact and get on with his job. Fast forward 18 months and he now chats to all the team, which has shown what an amazing sense of humour this young man has. “This means a great deal to me as an individual, to think that just 6 hours a week, cleaning the work tops and tables in the canteen, loading and unloading the dishwasher and filling up the tea and coffee pots, could make such a positive change to an individual.” Said Jane. “I would have no hesitation in recommending anyone to get involved with such a worthwhile and life change scheme, not only does it changes these young peoples’ lives for the better , it is a fantastic feeling going home from work knowing that you have been part of such a wonderful and positive thing.” “Ryan joined ILG through the WorkAid Programme just over two years ago as a caretaker in the warehouse. He is an absolute pleasure to work with, no matter what task you give to Ryan he does it, no fuss and no moaning, with a very can do attitude. He never leaves a task half done, always following thorough right to the end. He often comes to see me to ask how I am and always seem to be interested in others. Very proactive at seeing what tasks need to be done and needs very little guidance, but if he has questions, he will ask. A real asset to my warehouse.” Steve Ettridge, Warehouse Manager. Liz has seen dramatic changes in her clients, they have grown in confidence, made friends and some have completed warehousing apprenticeships. ILG have truly turned these individuals lives around, given them self-worth and most importantly a safe/supportive environment to work in. “ILG are, in my opinion, by far the most understanding, supportive and forward thinking company. I am truly grateful to work with them. Words cannot ever express my gratitude to the whole staff team at ILG, for embracing Work Aid clients, making them part of an ever expanding company, and valuing them. I can only hope that sometime in the near future, we can find another company, with the same values and commitment to adults with learning difficulties and autism spectrum disorder.” Liz Miles, WorkAid. If you have employment opportunities at your business for people with learning disabilities and/or autism like Ryan, please contact our WorkAid team on 01243 546035 or workaid@aldingbourne.org. Or please visit our website www.aldingbournetrust.org/supported-employment, and to find our more about our award winning charity that supports adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to live independent lives.  “What an amazing night, it was so wonderful to see the community come together and support our Prom, it made such a difference to the people we support to have their own special night,” said Sarah Mitas, Team Leader at Make.
On Wednesday 11th December the Aldingbourne Trust hosted a Winter Wonderland Prom night at the at the Royal British Legion club in Lucknow Street Portsmouth. The Winter Wonderland theme was chosen to make it a socially inclusive event, so that people of all backgrounds and beliefs would feel welcome to come and have fun together. The night was attended by over 130 people, which included the people the Trust support, adults with learning disabilities and/or autism throughout the South coast and their families and friends. Sarah and her team were overwhelmed by the support they have received from local businesses and the local community in putting together this event. The Royal British Legion Club supplied the venue for the evening, and local businesses including: Tepee Emporium who donated a flower wall, Victory Events for the balloon arches, Holly Walker and Luarla events donated chair covers and bows. Along with the decorations made by the team at MAKE the venue looked like a winter wonderland. The evening started with a ‘prom ready event’ at their Make@Aldingbourne enterprise. Where local hairdressers and makeup artists turned the centre into a salon for the day, offering free hair styling and makeup for attendees to get ready for their evening. The Trust would like to thank Jade Paddell, Liz Dayment, Karina Castle and Heather Kaberry, gave up their time to help the prom guests get ready for their special night. The community spirit did not stop there, as local families continued to support by helping to transport the guests to and from the event. Jo Suter and Nikki Mell spent the evening making sure the guests arrived and got home safely. “It has been wonderful to see the community and services to come together and support what was a great evening,” said Sarah. The evening was full of fun, friends and dancing with music from DJ Steve Kingsley from Kingsley Nightclub. With support from the Portsmouth Lottery Fund gifts were presented by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress enjoyed the evening, dancing along with the other guests. Steve Kingsley was given the honour of crowning the Prom King , Cameron Locke and Prom Queen, Tracy Holdcroft. “I had the best time ever at the Make Prom, with the best mates I could have. I am made up I was made prom King.” Said Cameron. “We want to create opportunities for the people we support to have fun and live the lives they choose. The evening saw a lot of old friends reunited, as they have grown up and not seen each other since school.” Said Sarah. “Fantastic, what a wonderful evening. A huge thank you to all the staff and volunteers who made this wonderful evening happen.” Said Janet Hanby, from Havant. “Thanks to the organisers of this prom. My daughter has been so excited waiting for the day to come and has loved getting ready, having her nails and hair done. I asked her this morning, did you enjoy yourself? She told me it was fantastic and fabulous. Definitely a success, I would say a massive thank you for making it so special,” said Jan Ann Huge, from Gosport. The idea for the prom came from the people supported by the Make at Aldingbourne Trust, they wanted an opportunity to get dressed to the nines and enjoy with their friends, and to include as many adults with learning disabilities and/or autism along the south coast as possible. The event was such a success; the Trust and Lord Mayor of Portsmouth are already starting to plan another event for the Spring. Visit our website www.aldingbournetrust.org for information about MAKE@Aldingbourne Enterprises, and more about our award winning charity that supports adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to live independent lives.  “Benjamin’s face lit up when he first saw the doll’s house, the project has meant so much to him,” said Gill Hunter Nudds, Earthworks Creative Instructor.
Earthworks, the creative arts team at the Aldingbourne Country Centre, enjoy making and creating arts projects with the people they support at the Trust. One particular project caught Benjamin Austin’s eye, when the Trusts former Furniture Restoration Lead Jim Thompson brought in a dolls house that he had made many years before for his own daughter. The doll’s house had never quite been finished, so he thought it would make a great project for the team at Earthworks. On bringing the doll’s house to the Country Centre back in April, Benjamin’s face lit up and very quickly he said, “Can I do it?” Benjamin has an interest in houses and interior design, so he was very excited to be able to take on the project by himself, choosing the colours to paint and the furnishings to decorate it. “He has a great attention to detail, so this was the perfect project for him,” said Gill. As Benjamin is not at the Country Centre every day, it took him just over 4 months to complete. He wanted to give the house a modern feel, creating as much detail as possible, including handmade mosaic splashbacks for the bathroom and even making miniature picture frames for the walls. The house had been on display in the Earthworks department, where it caught the eye of Mrs Huckle, who has been a customer at the Country Centre for many years. She bought the doll’s house with the proceeds to go towards the Earthworks department to continue their great work. Benjamin was delighted that she liked it and he is looking forward to doing another one as he enjoyed it so much.
"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 wanted to spend the day here because it is local to me. I’ve been many times with my daughters and use the plant nursery. They make a real difference to the people they support ensuring everyone has a choice and lives an independent life. I had such a wonderful day”. Said Melissa Wilcock, HSBC Hampshire.
Many charities rely on the support they receive from corporate volunteers, so the Aldingbourne Trust were delighted when Melissa choose to use her HSBC annual volunteer day to come and help out on the farm. “Melissa was an amazing help and really got stuck in with all the daily tasks. She helped with mucking out the top fields in the morning, then later cleaned out the guinea pig hutches, and even got involved in a goat health check and hoof trim! She had a really positive attitude and interacted brilliantly with the people we support at the Country Centre” said Jon Corke, Farm Manager. Vicky Mearns, one of the people supported by the Trust said, “Melissa was really friendly, I really enjoyed working with her”. As part of their corporate volunteering scheme, HSBC have an Employee Volunteering Competition, which Melissa was delighted to win as it meant she could make a donation on behalf of HSBC to the Aldingbourne Trust. As she enjoyed her time on the farm, she has requested that the £1,000 goes towards helping the farm to continue to improve their facilities. “I spent the whole day outside on the farm with the animals and the wonderful people who work there. The highlight for me was meeting the lovely people, some of them were really shy when I first met them, but I've made new friends and got to spend an enjoyable day in the fresh air! I'll definitely return” said Melissa. To find out more about Aldingbourne Trust and their award winning charity that supports adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to live independent lives, please visit their website www.aldingbournetrust.org.  “Everyone that took part really enjoyed it, it wasn’t just about the amount they walked, but about taking part in an activity they wouldn’t normally do.” said Karen Allen, Outreach team.
Staff and support workers at the Aldingbourne Trust thought it would be great to take part in the Beat the Streets challenge during the Summer holidays, by setting up a challenge between projects to encourage more physical activity within the people they support. Over 41 people took part across the Trust, collecting 16,370 points, and walking over 500 miles as a team. “When the Beat the Streets was mentioned, we all thought this would be great fun thing to get as many people as possible joining in. One of our tenants in particular made a huge effort, Oliver Shippam who has autism and is supported by our outreach team, walked an amazing 85.5 miles and was hugely motivated by the scheme. Oliver is very competitive and wanted to see how far he could walk”, said Karen. Oliver wanted to beat the others in the team, so he followed the complete map of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton several times and really enjoyed finding all the boxes. He also said, “It was something nice I could join in with my family and support staff, and my Mum and Dad did 35.5 miles”. This week Oliver Shippam and Michael Paddington were presented with their certificates from Katherine from the Beat the Streets initiative, they were both extremely proud of their achievements, and they are both looking forward to taking part in the event again next year. The Beat the Streets initiative was delivered by Intelligent Health and funded by Adur and Worthing Councils, Arun District Council, The Conservation Volunteers and West Sussex County Council Public Health. It was to encourage people to get out and about in the local community. Anyone living, working or going to a school in Worthing, Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, Shoreham and other towns across the West Sussex Coast were eligible to take part. Schools and community groups competed against each other to see if they could travel the furthest. To find out more about Aldingbourne Trust and their award winning charity that supports adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to live independent lives, please visit their website www.aldingbournetrust.org.  “We are so immensely proud of our WorkAid team for winning this award” Said Rachel Benson, Deputy Manager of WorkAid at Aldlingbourne Trust.
Representatives of the Aldingbourne Trust attended the Arun Business Partnership Awards on Friday 15th November at the Hilton Avisiford Park Hotel, helping to celebrate the success of many local businesses. Aldingbourne Trust were honoured to win the Employee/Team of the Year award, and on being presented the award Rachel said, “I am so immensely proud of our WorkAid team; without their sheer determination and hard work, people with learning disabilities or autism spectrum conditions would really struggle to access employment in their communities. Our staff change people’s lives; not just for the people they are supporting but also for employers. Thank you to all of the employers over the Arun district who have welcomed people with disabilities so warmly into their teams.” The WorkAid team at Aldingbourne Trust work across West Sussex to support people with learning disabilities and/or autism spectrum conditions who have career dreams and aspirations but sometimes need a little support to help them reach them. Every member of the WorkAid team works in a fully person-centred way; they listen to the person’s perspectives without judgement or condemnation, they help every person to see where their strengths are and make realistic and achievable goals to get them where they want to be. If you would like more information about WorkAid and the support and services they offer, please visit our website www.aldingbournetrust.org/workaid and to find out more about their award winning charity that supports adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to live independent lives.
I am so pleased WorkAid has been recognised with an award for Employee/ Team of the year. The WorkAid team continue to make a positive difference to employers and employees across West Sussex - we’re doing our bit to improve the national picture of people with learning disabilities who want to work, to realise their potential and rights to a life that any of us would expect. Thank you to the Aldingbourne teams and our supporters for a busy and inspiring year.
Sue Livett - Managing Director |
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