Mission
We support and partner with a number of organisations to serve others locally, nationally and globally. 10% of our annual freewill donations are given to our chosen world mission partners.
Monthly Mission Focus
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Monthly Mission Focus *
Walking Together: How ALDAG Shares God’s Love Through Inclusion and Opportunity
With the support of SGSG, ALDAG creates spaces of joy, purpose, and connection for people with learning disabilities—offering friendship, dignity, and hope through every social gathering, shop placement and shared cup of coffee.
ALDAG’s Vision is to increase the social inclusion of people with learning disabilities within the community by providing social opportunities and volunteering/employment pathways.
Social opportunities include our long-running group, Conquerors, meeting fortnightly at St Giles’, Dell Centre, with about 30 members. A variety of activities provide an evening of fun. For some, this is the only time that they can meet up with ‘old’ friends or make new ones. Outings to a pub, a pantomime or for a meal out are organised and enjoyed by smaller groups of friends or teams from one of our work experience provisions.
Our two shops provided 37 work experience placements; 13 retail placements in our charity shop Re-Use It (62a West Street, Dorking), 18 hospitality placements in our coffee shop Cups & Co (114 High Street, Dorking), and 6 gardening placements at our Leatherhead allotment. We also employed an apprentice in both shops. Cups & Co is run as a commercial coffee shop, and our trainees take their work as seriously as they would in Starbucks! Do visit our shops for bargains and an affordable coffee when you’re next in Dorking!
The charity relies on income generated by the shops, grants, the generosity St Giles’ and St George’s as a Mission Partner and church members, for which we are very grateful. If you wish to know more about the charity or volunteering opportunities, please visit www.aldag.org.uk or contact tony.c.leach@gmail.com
With Thanks to Tony Leach
Cups & Co is Aldag's latest project. The coffee shop will increase the number of overall trainee places.
Every Friday a group of young people meet to garden at ALDAG's allotment.
Conquerors Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month at The Dell Centre, St Giles' Church.
The ReUse-It Shop offers job opportunities to young adults with learning disabilities.
Alternatives Trust is based in Newham, East London, providing counselling related to unintended pregnancy as well as supporting parents in vulnerable situations.
Always Learning Developing And Growing promotes the inclusion of people with learning disabilities into their local community life.
The Be Me Project supports secondary school students and women who are struggling with anxiety, low self esteem or other emotional issues.
The Besom helps people in the local community make a difference and provides a bridge between those who want to give time, money, things or skills and those who are in need, ensuring what is given is used effectively.
Christian Aid aims to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide works across many countries to ensure the right to freedom of religion or belief is upheld and protected.
Interserve works amongst the peoples of the Asia and Arab world, equipping everyday Christians for cross-cultural mission. We support our partners Jonathan and Helen in Bristol.
Karen Border Ministries is an outreach programme initiated by Christ Church Bangkok. They support Karen people who have escaped Myanmar as refugees and live in Northern Thailand
LeatherHEAD START works with people who have been made homeless in the Leatherhead area, providing accommodation and support.
Mothers' Union is an international Christian charity that supports families worldwide. Its members are not all mothers, as there are many parents, men, widows, singles and grandparents involved in its work.
Music in Ministry Trust promotes the Christian faith through the music ministry of Bryn Howarth. Most of the Trust’s work is in UK prisons.
The Nazareth Way provides support and resources for the prison chaplaincies in Surrey, especially the chaplaincy at Send women’s prison.
Yala Widows and Orphans Support Project (YAWOSUP) supports widows, orphans, teenage mothers and vulnerable children in Kenya.
LIV exists to glorify God by serving the vulnerable children of our nation. There are millions of children at risk in South Africa, LIV focuses on the solution by bringing hope and a future to them.
Through the Roof is a Christian disability charity that changes the lives of disabled people around the world and helps others to change lives too. Their goal is to see everyone valued equally, fully belong, and able to contribute their gifts and skills.
Ashtead Churches Together (ACT)
Together with St Michael’s Roman Catholic Church and Ashtead Baptist Church, we worship and serve in the local community.
The Good Friday Pond Service is held just off Barnett Wood Lane, and the Remembrance Sunday Service by the war memorial is deeply moving. We celebrate our unity with an annual service.
Food is also important, with our monthly Men’s Breakfast, and the Ashtead Village Day Tea Tent.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” Jesus
— Matthew 25:35-36