Victoria is a resident within Aldingbourne's Supported Living Service and she has recently been recognised as a "Covid Learning Disability & Autism Leader" by Dimensions-UK.

Victoria works as a Project Assistant with Gig Buddies Brighton (Stay Up late) and was instrumental in keeping peoples spirits up during lockdown. Victoria organised online coffee mornings, 1-1 catch ups, online socials such as dance parties, pub quizzes, art groups and appeared on her own online show - "Victorias One Show." At the recent awards evening held in early December, where Coronation Street actor Liam Bairstow was one of the judges - Victoria said she was honoured that everyone's stories were read out and celebrated. Victoria said, "I don't give up and I like to support other people to keep going even during hard times."

We are super proud of you Victoria and send huge congratulations to you. #covidleaders #dimensionsuk #stayuplate
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Read the full story here:
https://dimensions-uk.org/.../leade.../putting-fun-lockdown/

Local charity Aldingbourne Trust are proud to be working in partnership with food rescue charity UKHarvest – the two charities are supporting each other during these difficult times. UKHarvest originally founded by CEO Yvonne Thomson, 3 years ago rescue food from various sources such as farms, supermarkets, catering companies, Ocado, P&O Cruises and more which would otherwise be wasted. A team of dedicated volunteers package up the rescued food into smaller food parcels which are then distributed to over 150 charities between Southampton – Tunbridge Wells – London including local refugees, food banks, homeless charities, school breakfast clubs and domestic abuse centres, ensuring the food reaches the people that need it most.
Food wastage in the UK is a huge problem which charities like UKHarvest are fighting to reduce. Registered charity WRAP (Waste Resources Action Programme) estimated annual food waste rising within UK households, hospitality & food service, food manufacture, retail and wholesale sectors in 2018 at around 9.5 million tonnes, 70% of which was intended to be consumed by people (30% being the ‘inedible parts’). This had a value of over £19 billion a year, and can be equated to more than 25 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. 
Aldingbourne Trust – a local award winning charity supporting people with learning disabilities and / or autism heard about UK Harvest and wanted to do what they could to help. Due to these unprecedented times the Trust have been required to close their facilities at the Aldingbourne Country Centre to the public for a short time, and are focussing their resources to continue to support people to learn and develop their skills within areas such as catering. Charis Lawrence – Deputy Manager in Hospitality and Catering at the Trust said, “This partnership has not only supported UKHarvest by allowing them to use our empty catering facilities to package ambient stock such as rice, noodles, flour and dried fruit; it has really been beneficial for the people we support enabling them to continue learning and developing their skills by packaging up food ready for deliveries to those that need it most.” The food gets delivered in large quantities to the Country Centre kitchens and together UKHarvest and Aldingbourne Trust decant it into smaller food parcels, vacuum pack the products and label each package ready for delivery to local people.
 
Hannah Wells – one of the people Aldingbourne Trust support said, “I am so pleased to be involved with this project, it has enabled me to complete my Food Hygiene certification Level 1 and it has kept me really busy.” Jason Attenborough said, “ I too have loved being involved in this project, it’s fun, rewarding and it has educated me on how many people are in need of food and it’s given me a sense of purpose.” 
 
Roger Parkes, UKHarvest’s Catering Manager, co-ordinating the partnership, is delighted with the progress and speed of which the food is being packaged, “ I am delighted to be working with Aldingbourne Trust, I have met some fantastic people and it’s such a lovely place to be. The support has been fantastic and we are all working together to distribute food to those in need as quickly as we can.” 
 
UKHarvest are always looking for more organisations to support them so if you feel you could offer support please do get in touch with Liz Woodsell, COO, liz.woodsell@ukharvest.org.uk. For more information on Aldingbourne Trust visit www.aldingbournetrust.org
 

The Sussex Heritage awards have been running for 22 years and this year due to Covid19 the award ceremony and winners were announced online with over 70 entries across East, West Sussex, Brighton and Hove.
Lord Egremont - President of Sussex Heritage Trust said, "We received a fantastic number of entries which show how popular the awards are and I think they encourage design and architecture in the local area."

HNW Architects submitted an entry for the Aldingbourne Country Centre's new Quarry building into the category for "Public and Community Award" sponsored by Gatwick Airport. Simon Knight - Chairman of Sussex Heritage Trust announced the winners and quoted the judges' response to the Aldingbourne Country Centre from their visit - "it doesn't look like a social care facility, this brilliantly conceived and executed centre for people with learning disabilities has a robust external appearance combined with a warm and playful interior. This and the high standard of finishes creates an environment where people of all abilities can realise their potential."

Michelle McKinley Bell - Head of Enterprise and Development for Aldingbourne Trust said, " We are very proud and honoured to receive this award and wish to thank Amiri Construction Ltd, Hawkins / Brown, HNW Architects, SMD Construction Consultancy Ltd, Campbell Reith, Ingine Ltd, Forest Heat. Energy and Lizard Landscape Design and Ecology for all their creative input from design to build - it has been a team effort in creating this unique and innovative building which we are already seeing the people we support and many local visitors enjoying."
All winners will receive a handcrafted plaque to display within the building and if you have not already visited please do pop down to see this amazing building when it is safe to do so - which is home to a Changing Places facility, Gift Shop, state of the art conference facilities, cafe and even a spiral indoor slide which is open for all ages.
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The Aldingbourne Trust support adults with learning disabilities and / or autism to live independent lives and by visiting our Centre you are making a big difference to people’s lives. www.aldingbournetrust.org

 The Aldingbourne Trust is inviting the community to take part in ‘MiniBOOM in Lockdown’ an online festival fundraiser in aid of the Aldingbourne Trust. This event will be streamed through the Aldingbourne Trust’s Facebook page on Saturday 27th June, 11am - 11pm. Live music will be performed by fantastic local musicians such as Sarah Wood, Dawn Gracie, Savannah plus much more, along with big quizzes, dancing with Diddi Dance and competitions with great prizes to be won throughout the day - it really is a ‘Great Day In’ for the family. 
 
The Aldingbourne Trust is a local Charity that supports people with learning disabilities and / or autism to reach their potential across Sussex & Hampshire. They provide real skills, care and jobs in a very 21st century way. They believe in strong partnerships between social enterprise and charity fundraising to give adults with learning disabilities real choices and more independent lives.
 
Jen Sears, Event Manager said, “As you are aware the Covid19 lock down has presented changes and challenges in all our lives and has hit the care sector very hard. Almost all our staff are key workers and are on the front line of this battle against Covid19. It is of high importance that we ensure all the people we support and our staff are kept safe and their support needs are kept in place during these very difficult times. It has become clear that we have been disregarded by the government with shortages of PPE and greatly needed funds.” 
 
“Whilst the Aldingbourne Trust has had to temporarily close to the public our important work must continue. Without our enterprises, our income is more limited, yet our work supporting people with disabilities must carry on. Please continue to support us during this period with our fun ‘MiniBOOM in Lockdown’ event.” - Abigail Rowe, Fundraising Manager
 
So tune in on Saturday 27th June, 11am - 11pm for a ‘Great Day In’ with the Aldingbourne Trust. 
 
Facebook page - Aldingbourne Trust

To find out more information or make a donation please visit www.aldingbournetrust.org/miniboom

The world is upside down right now. Everything is cancelled or postponed, nearly everything is shut, there’s this eerie at-mosphere and queues and tape all over the supermarket. Oh and there’s a lack of pasta on the shelves. 

Routines are generally out of whack. I’ve kinda been given barely any notice from work about coming back in and that worries me. Basically neurotypical people are experiencing just what autistic life is like. Suddenly behaviours which were weird are now considered necessary! 

It’s ok to not be ok. 

So you can’t keep to your routine, see the people you’re close to and worst of all the things you were looking forward to have been postponed. A lot of people are not ok right now and it’s ok to feel like that. It’s ok get frustrated at people for not giving you alone time, to be annoyed that you’re unable to stick to food routines, to feel disappointed having to wait to watch football again and to miss your routines. 

Ok everything is upside down what now? 

I've barely seen any advice about this situation for people on the spectrum. While these things haven't 100% worked with me they have kind of helped at least. Maybe they help you. 
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1. Keep a routine 
Anything you can put into routine is a bit of a help. Set aside time for certain things each day or week. 

2. Remember to get dressed 
Staying at home doesn’t mean slacking on hygiene. Shower-ing and washing your hair helps. Getting dressed and putting yourself together sets you in a different mindset. 

3. Keep connected 
Try and set up group chats (voice or text) and check in on people. You could play games or maybe a group watch of something. 

4. Positive news 
It is difficult to shut everything off about the big C because often we like to be as informed as possible but there’s posi-tive news feeds that are good. The Happy Broadcast often has a section of positive stories. 

5. You can spend time outside 
If you keep to social distancing regulations and don’t cause a ruckus it’s fine to take a walk, run or bike ride. 

6. Keep a private journal 
Sometimes it helps to write your feelings down. Use a book, notes app on your phone or a journaling app. I sometimes add pictures and drawings as well. 
7. Plan for the future 

I have a list of simple things like going to McDonalds, seeing friends, going to the shop and buying something special or planning a holiday. 

8. Uncertainty 
Everything is uncertain but the main thing is when will this be over? As we find out more about the big C experts can give a more realistic idea of a timeline even if we have to make changes to our lives. 

9. Make someone smile 
Share something you think is pretty good by whatever means necessary. 

RH - (Team Springwell) Powerful Trainer

One of the people Aldingbourne WorkAid supports, Brad, has been working as a cleaner in a supermarket in Chichester since February 2020.  He has to get up at 4.30  in the morning in order to start his job at 5.30.  He cleans the toilets, mops the floor and hoovers the offices upstairs.    Brad loves his job . He says  ‘it has helped me in different ways,  I’ve learned new skills. I have to be flexible because my duties can change suddenly and I can be asked to do something different. I’ve also got used to getting up early but have to be really quiet so as not to wake my housemates”. 

Susanna, one of our Employment Consultants, asked Brad to explain how the Corona virus is affecting his work.  He says he has continued to work and says the safety of himself and others is the number one priority.   “We keep 2 metres apart but this is quite challenging especially now that more people are returning to work” 

When Brad returns from work to his house which he shares with 3 others he has his temperature taken.  This is to make sure he does not have a high temperature which is one of the indications of Corona virus.  

For more information on our eligibility criteria and how to access our supported employment, please contact workaid@aldingbourne.org (01243 546035) or workability@impact-initiatives.org.uk (01903 730044)