People we support at Orchard Dale in Bridgwater plan a celebration for their church

People with learning disabilities and autism at Milton House, Orchard Dale in Bridgwater are holding a celebration to say goodbye to Westfield United Reformed Church.
People from the house have enjoyed going to the church on West Street while they have been staying in Bridgwater waiting to move to a new assisted living development – Apple Tree Court in Street.
The celebration on Saturday 26th October, is being funded with a grant from the Small Sparks project, which is part of the Discovery Community Fund that aims to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities throughout Somerset.
David Knight, Support Worker said: “About 10 people we support go to the church and they make up a sizeable part of the congregation. Some of them clap and play the tambourine during the service and are really engaged.”
The church has provided round tables, coffee and cake before and after services, and a roast dinner at church festivals. The group felt so welcome that they wanted to give something back to the church before they leave in January and they have already started baking cakes in preparation.
Grants of up to £500 are available through the Small Sparks project to people with a learning disability in Somerset to fund a community project. Bids must be submitted by 8th November and the outcome will be announced by 25th November. All funding decisions are made by a group of people Discovery support. For advice and an application form contact jill.parker@discovery-uk.org.
The Discovery Community Fund was created with the help of the Somerset Community Foundation which administers the fund. It awards grants of £500 – £50,000 to enable adults with learning disabilities and autism to live fulfilling lives in their own communities.
The Fund opened for the first time in early 2019 and has already supported nine projects in Somerset.
Discovery is a partnership between Dimensions, a national not-for-profit support provider, and Somerset County Council.