Party time for Portsmouth charity MAKE in Fratton after winning award

That was the over-whelming feeling after the Fratton community hub MAKE came away from Portsmouth’s Guildhall as winners at the Make a Difference Awards 2022.

MAKE is seen as the jewel in the crown of Aldingbourne Trust’s innovative projects supporting adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. From its home in Cornwall Road, it develops their skills to enable them to lead independent lives and gain employment.

The group picked up The Together Award, which looked for groups which ‘create real change by breaking down barriers and bringing together people from different walks of life for a common cause’. It was one of eight awards handed out at the event run by BBC Radio Solent.

MAKE project manager Sarah Mitas said: "We feel incredibly proud to be recognised as a community venue which is inclusive of everybody. There were so many wonderful people at the awards doing incredible things and to be recognized as worthy is very humbling.

“The people we support are thrilled knowing they are valuable members of a team and that their work is appreciated.”

Sarah picked up the award along with members of the hub team Esther Wright, Emma Stallard and Olivia Parry. They enjoyed a range of entertainment and an afternoon tea before named as winners of the last award to be handed out.

After picking up the award Sarah said she could not wait to return to the hub to tell the team of their win, with Olivia adding: ‘Oh yeah – party time!’

MAKE runs a community cafe serving up a cuppa and slice of cake, home-cooked lunches and pies. The team also runs a variety of workshops for all ages – from crafts, cake decorating, sewing, quilting and upcycling.

Coming up next for MAKE is an art exhibition – This is Me – at Treadgold’s Warehouse in Bishop Street, Portsea. People are invited to view the exhibition for free on Saturday, November 19, from 10am to 4pm.

This is Me aims to give people the opportunity to ‘dive deeper into the talents we hold at MAKE’.​For more information on MAKE contact Sarah on [email protected] or call 023 9282 2026.