Aim Higher...

We spend much of our time publicising that we are a socially inclusive venue; reassuring parents when they arrive that there anxieties are to be left at the door; trying to make this experience as accessible to as many different people as possible, regardless of needs.

As a new business to the area we have been approached by countless great causes and fundraisers in the last few months and where possible have tried our best to donate either our time, money or experience vouchers to those causes. We were looking to try and invest more though...to create real added value to any investment, to add real value (not just in monetary terms) to that investment, and so we decided that the best way of doing this would be to choose a charity each year upon which we can focus most of our fundraising efforts and support.

We had recently been communicating with a new local charity called Aim Higher. Launched in September by four local mums, all of whom have had their lives touched by the cause that they support. One of Aim Highers main objectives is promoting social inclusion among children and young adults with autism or mental health conditions and their parents/carers/families who are socially excluded from society, or parts of society, as a result of their disabilities. This struck a real chord with us. We have had the pleasure of welcoming many parents with children who have such needs since opening. We feel privileged to be trusted as a venue where these parents and their children feel safe, welcome and relaxed and it has been truely heart warming to receive wonderful feedback from those visitors about the enjoyment of their time here. Of course we also know a little about the trials and tribulations of staring something new! Trying to raise awareness of that new venture and working ones socks off to make it all happen!

So, when all these discussions and ideas were floating round the kitchen table...it became more and more obvious to us that Aim Higher should be our chosen charity for the next 12 months. We approached the Aim Higher team with the idea and were thrilled that they were able to accept.

Today, Aim Higher came to our venue...with around 28 children and adults in tow...to enjoy a morning of painting pottery and socialiing with one another up in our events room. Boy did they make us smile! So many new faces, so many great comments, so many fabulous creations left for us to glaze and fire!

So we thought it was the ideal time to thank the Aim Higher team for their visit today and to announce them as our chosen charity.

We will be getting our thinking caps on with some fundraising ideas and will of course let you guys know what, where, when and how!

In the meantime, please do take a moment with a cuppa and browse the Aim Higher website here Aim Higher They are an inspiring bunch of people who are dedicating so much time and effort into a cause that effects so many lives of families in your local area and nationally.

We are excited to see what we can achieve together over the upcoming year.