Our Journey

We’ve come a long way since June 2016 but I know that there’s so much more we can do so our vision remains. Having our own home with spaces to deliver our activities and develop much more is always something we will strive for, for our members.

We believe that with the right amount of support and encouragement to access new opportunities, increase confidence and develop social skills, everyone has the chance to lead a fulfilled life. Every day we reach more adults and open doors to new adventures.

The Story So Far

About Jenny

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.

When children with additional needs reach the age of 18, many of the services around them fall away leaving them alone and in some cases, totally isolated. This really struck a chord with me and I wanted to do something about it. So I set up Creating Adventures.

After months of creating and submitting the application to the Charity Commission, on 24th June 2016 I received the amazing news that we had become a registered charity.

Our first activity to start in 2017 was a Digital Music Project supporting 38 adults. Then came our Art Club in September 2018 which is still running to this day. We now have a full timetable of 5 activities every week, one monthly disco, and 3 large events each year.

Timeline

December 2015

24th June 2016

March 2017

August 2017

March 2018

December 2018

September 2018

December 2018

April 2019

October 2019

March 2020

December 2020

January 2021

July 2021

November 2021

March 2022

April 2023

Application started to the Charity Commission for Creating Adventures to gain charity status.

Received Charity Registration to mark the beginning of our adventures.

Funding received from Awards for All to deliver an 8 month Digital Music Project giving 38 adults with autism, learning disabilities and complex needs the opportunity to use music and digital production to write and record their own songs.

Our first fundraising Spring Ball to help raise funds to launch Creating Adventures held at the Midland Hotel.

Digital Music Project started in partnership with Memody.

End of Digital Music Project sees huge progress and first successful project for Creating Adventures.

First Christmas Party for 20 adults

Funding achieved from Cheshire Community Foundation to begin Art Club at The Old School in Warrington.

Second Christmas Party 28 adults

Jenny Allcock, Founder was invited to Windsor Castle for the NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) Centenary event, meeting Queen Elizabeth II and also Princess Anne. It was an absolute honour to attend and an extremely surreal evening.

Funding achieved from the Steve Morgan Foundation to start a community choir, later called Beautiful Noise by the members. What a journey the choir are about to have!

Covid Lockdown – We started our journey on Zoom as taking a break just wasn't an option due to our members needing us now more than ever. We had choir, zumba, art and a chat, sing and dance session.

We decided to have our Christmas party online so we delivered presents, fancy dress items and of course the party food to our guests and made it a Christmas party to remember.

We achieved funding from the National Lottery to deliver even more activities during the third lockdown. We started our online cookery classes, chocolate making classes and our special Friday Live party socials – all online!

We finally get to meet in person whilst ensuring we follow the new guidelines as set out by the government and NHS.

We achieved funding for a full time Community Engagement Coordinator through the Steve Morgan Foundation to support the growth in our membership since we came out of lockdown.

Susan Totton joined the team as our Community Engagement Coordinator.

We moved into our new home at The Old School moving all of our activities and our office under one roof. Exciting times!