Mission Partner Focus: ALDAG

ALDAG stands for Always Learning Developing And Growing, which is important for people with learning disabilities, who are often marginalised in today’s society. Our Vision is for the social inclusion of people with learning disabilities within our community life, and we work towards this by providing local social opportunities and volunteering/employment pathways.

Social opportunities include our long running group, Conquerors, meeting once a fortnight at St Giles’ Dell Centre, with just over 30 members. A variety of activities provide an evening of fun. For some this is the only time that people can meet up with ‘old’ friends or make new ones. Outings to a pub, a show or for meal are also enjoyed by smaller groups of friends or work experience teams.

We aim for our beneficiaries to be visible in the community and accepted as an equal part of everyday life. Last year we provided 33 work experience placements; 12 in our charity shop Re-Use It (62a West Street, Dorking), 15 in our coffee shop Cups & Co (114 High Street, Dorking) and 6 gardening placements on our Leatherhead allotment. Do visit our shops when you’re next in Dorking!

Our trainees at Cups & Co are expected to take their work as seriously as they would in Starbucks! They develop hospitality skills with the goal, for some, of gaining a paid job. Practical skills are learnt as well as communication skills, taking orders, responding to questions or delivering food to customers. Similarly in Re-Use It, generic work skills are as important as specific retail skills, e.g. independent travel, reliability and time keeping.

We do not receive government or council funding but rely on income generated by the shops and the generosity of SGSG as a Mission Partner and individuals within the church, for which we are very grateful. To find out more visit our website here.