Wonderful people supporting one another
Our area is full of wonderful people who go above and beyond to support one another. Last Friday, I visited the Apuldram Centre, which supports adults with learning difficulties in and around Chichester offering a wide range of activities to develop skills and maximise independence and choice. When I arrived, I joined a silent disco, which was great fun, but more importantly, these activities develop social skills and build confidence.
Apuldram is truly fantastic, helping to develop skills including woodwork, cooking and gardening as well as building confidence and friendships. These are crucial to help people with learning difficulties live independently and join the workplace. According to the Down’s Syndrome Association, only 5.9 per cent of people with learning disabilities are in any form of paid work, but 65 per cent of people with learning disabilities want to work. That was certainly the case for the people I met at Apuldram.
Earlier that day I popped in to see the team at another fantastic local charity St Wilfrid’s Hospice to see the fantastic new Bosham site – including a café, gardens, and chapel. The team there, led by Alison Moorey, do an incredible job supporting people and families through a hugely challenging time. They have continued their work
throughout the pandemic, and are only able to do so thanks to the generosity of local people as, incredibly, the charity receives donations for over a third of its funding.
Due to the national news, several people have written to me asking about my whereabouts on certain days during the pandemic – something I am happy to clarify. On December 10, 2020, I was at a working dinner (sat outside) at Purchases in Chichester; on April 16, 2021, I had several meetings in the constituency including a virtual surgery, followed by evensong at Chichester Cathedral to commemorate the life of HRH Prince Philip; and lastly, on the evening of May 20, 2021, I was in the House of Commons voting on the Trade Bill.