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OUR JOURNEY FROM A MOMENT OF CLARITY, TO A VISION OF EQUALITY…
Jenny Allcock, the Founder of Creating Adventures, was made aware of the heartbreaking scarcity of any form of support for adults with Autism and learning disabilities in society, and the shocking lack of opportunities they could access in order to gain basic human needs that the rest of us take for granted, such as friendships, weekly routines, and finding happiness and excitement in everyday life. Click here to read her story of why and how she decided to do something.
A SAFE SPACE TO TALK, LAUGH, DISCOVER… A HOME AWAY FROM HOME.
We are working towards a community centre where local people with autism and learning disabilities can meet with friends. We would love to open a cafe that they themselves help to run. This would be a wonderful, thriving hub for people with additional needs to feel supported and connected to others in their situation. Feeling a sense of belonging in life is vital for overall happiness and well-being.
We care deeply about the adults’ physical and mental well-being, and a centre would help us to cater to all their needs whilst also opening up opportunities for more activities. We are currently planning to launch a digital music production project, where the adults will learn new skills such as editing and mixing. Another exciting project is our cookery masterclass and chocolate making, which will be in collaboration with Fresh Beginnings CIC and Chocolate Gems.
Jenny founded Creating Adventures in 2016 after working in the voluntary sector for a children’s charity for 11 years. Jenny was made aware of the heartbreaking gap in society for adults with autism and learning disabilities and decided to do something about it.
Jenny has a real passion for wanting to make a difference to people’s lives and for wanting to make the world a better place. With her knowledge of fundraising and working with children with additional needs, Jenny is taking Creating Adventures to the greatest heights with huge plans for unique activities and has her vision set at Creating Adventures having it’s own physical space in the community.
My name is Susan Totton, and I am the Community Engagement Coordinator.
I have been fortunate to have lived in South East Asia for 15 years. While I was there, I worked for the British International School. This has enabled me to gain a wealth of experience in project management, activities, and sporting events.
I am delighted to be part of the Creating Adventures team and I look forward to being part of the future.
Hi, my name is Paul (aka DJ Funky Monkey) and I am a mobile DJ based in the North West. I love all things music, from playing guitar and singing to DJ’ing. As a DJ, I love playing my small part in people’s events and special occasions. I aim to provide the best service and experience possible whilst taking your special occasion to the next level and making it something everyone will be talking about.
I’m Jacky Keating, I run the Beautiful Noise Choir here at Creating Adventures. I am a peripatetic piano and brass music teacher. I have been doing this for the past 15 years in numerous schools in Cheshire. I have played in music groups since being a teenager. I have had some fabulous experiences doing this, from numerous tours in America and across Europe and many memorable concerts including arenas and playing for Lady Diana.
As well as the choir I run several school and community bands.
As a teacher and group leader it is my aim that my pupils and group members get the same enjoyment and experiences that I have had as a performer.
Leanne has been a choreographer and teacher for over 20 years, working in both public and private settings. She prides herself on her innovative and creative choreographic approach, and loves inspiring others with her energy and passion for dance.
Leanne has extensive experience across a wide range of dance styles, but counts Contemporary and Musical Theatre amongst her favourites. She has led, developed and created work in a variety of settings, from community platforms to professional theatre, small-scale events to large-scale productions, and is super excited to be bringing her skills and enthusiasm to the Creating Adventures team.
Alison is a trained Chocolatier with her small business Chocolate Gems.
Alison loves all things chocolate and creates some wonderful treats that even Willy Wonka would be proud of!
It made complete sense when Alison first met Jenny that they launch a chocolate making project for adults with additional needs. Making chocolate can be a very therapeutic activity and one which also requires a great amount of patience and skill.
However as expected, our members have done her proud and are loving licking the chocolate off the spoon at the end of each class.
I’m Liz, the Art Leader, who joins the Creative Crew on Monday mornings, getting everyone’s creative juices flowing to start the week.
We do a huge range of arts & crafts during our sessions which are always accessible to everyone and allow all members to share the joy of creating together, whilst making individual and unique art work.
Each class, Jo & I provide opportunities for all members to try new things and practice skills in a relaxed and encouraging environment.
I have taught Art for over 15 years, with my role as Art Leader in Primary Schools across Cheshire & Warrington and more recently running my own Art School called The Himos Hub. The principal reason for setting up the Hub was to provide as many people as possible with as many creative opportunities as possible, for well-being, joy and happiness.
Art can have such a positive impact on mental health, neurodiversity and general outlook, and we certainly see the many benefits in this class! Everyone is so expressive and confident, we just love seeing the creations each week from all the wonderful members.
I’m incredibly proud of what the members of Creating Adventures are achieving. Their enthusiasm and their capacity for joy is just outstanding. As their new cookery teacher, I already feel part of the Creating Adventures family. The welcome I have received from the staff, students and volunteers is amazing. They’re all superstars.
Tom has gained plenty of management experience, working at a high level in IT for over 35 years in various industries including finance, retail and national government. He also previously took on the role of Chair of Governors for a primary school.
He approaches life with a high degree of pragmatism and his own brand of common sense. Tom is passionate about all forms of social justice.
A regular long distance runner, Tom is always keen to take on new challenges and gain new life experiences.
Interesting fact – Tom is planning to sail to Uruguay in 2023 on an ocean going yacht, having never done any sailing before!
Sarah is owner and Director of Longmires Accountants in Timperley, Altrincham alongside her husband Dathan.
Sarah is passionate about running her business and working with so many interesting entrepreneurs and business owners. In her spare time, Sarah is also a parent governor for her children’s school which has given her great insight into the challenges many families face. She loves travelling having travelling around the world in her twenties with her husband and is looking forward to introducing her children to places they enjoyed together.
After many years in a corporate environment working for United Utilities, Alison is taking some time out and enjoying her time volunteering in various capacities. Alison is qualified and experienced in Project Management and Business Management. Alison is also a skilled Chocolatier.
Interesting fact – Alison is an adrenaline junkie in her spare time, enjoying the thrills of kite boarding amongst other activities.
Fi has 18 years’ experience working in a special school as a Teaching Assistant. She also loves encouraging both children and adults to see their potential. Fiona has a 29-year-old son, Oliver who has Downs Syndrome. Oliver is a fine example of how having a learning disability shouldn’t stop your achievements.
Interesting fact – Fi got through to the final on Wheel of Fortune with John Leslie.
Roz is owner and Director of Beech Web Services Ltd, a successful digital marketing agency based in Warrington. Her career in online marketing started way back in the 1990s when she led a digital studio based in Leeds and worked for clients such as Oxford University Press and IBM.
Running her own business for 10+ years has taught Roz the importance of effective teamwork, personal resilience and giving something back to the local community.
She approaches everything she does with commitment and a strong set of values and is near completion of a Digital Marketing MSc qualification at Chester University.
Interesting facts – Roz is member of a field archery club and is taking lessons in Colombian Salsa.
Gill undertakes the role of Community Development Manager for Adult Social Care in Stoke.
Gill has worked for the statutory sector for many years in leisure and community development. She has been involved with Adult Social Care for some years now and believes that every person has the right to decide on the life they wish to live and opportunities should be available, whether that accommodation, employment, hobbies, life-skills, socialization, education and training. Gill believes with the right team, strategy and resources Creating Adventures will be key to delivering opportunities enriching people’s lives.
We believe that everyone has potential and that some people just need a little more support and encouragement than others. We have therefore developed a social club with various activities and opportunities to support our members and provide them with opportunities to achieve their potential, try something new, believe in themselves and find their inner talents which for some are just waiting to be discovered.
We have created a community with a variety of activities to support their communication, expression, confidence, life-skills, physical and mental health and wellbeing and helping them to feel a sense of personal fulfilment. But most importantly to encourage the members to try something new and possibly unlock potential in areas they never thought possible
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