The Apuldram Centre
Horticultural & Craft Training for People with Learning Disabilities
About us
The centre was established at Common Farm in 1989, and is a Registered Charity.
The site was originally leased from West Sussex County Council and consists of a newly converted five bedroomed house which was opened in June 2010 to provide supported living in the Chichester and Witterings area. We also have several farm buildings which have been converted into workshops, plus two large barns. In addition we have the kitchen, dining room, two large polytunnels, several greenhouses and a shop which incorporates a small coffee shop.
Ten years ago the Centre was so well
established that it was decided to buy the site from
West Sussex County
Council.
Our General Manager has overall
responsibility for the Centre and the staff who support
clients in
independent living in the Chichester & Bognor area. She has ten members
of
staff to support her at the Centre, all with their own area of
responsibility. We also have
a band of willing volunteers who help out
in different areas.
Our main source of income is from
sponsorship for our clients from West Sussex County
Council. Sponsorship
from other agencies is also accepted. We augment our income from
the
sale of our goods and fund raising events but, needless to say funds are
always tight.
Our clients are able to choose which
areas of work they prefer to be involved with. Some
will stay in one
particular area while others choose to work on a variety of different
jobs.
They also spend differing amounts of time with us, either full or
part-time.
The
Centre is a very relaxed and informal place where we try to let everyone
be themselves
whilst accepting that they are part of a valuable team. We
aim to allow our clients to
achieve their full potential with help and
encouragement towards as great a degree of
independence as they are able
to attain without removing the shield of care and support
they will
always require, especially when problems enter their lives.
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Many thanks to those who donate to the Centre both in time and money.
Click on the link below to see a list of the monetary donations we have received since the beginning of 2011