Since 2021, we have been building a community around people with PMLD/autism
What do we do?
We host events and activities for people with PMLD
Easter-egg hunt Easter Saturday 2022
We do this in the beautiful Perth and Kinross countryside, located on the map below, enabling families of adult children with PMLD, their PAs and carers to connect and support each other. We provide a fun and friendly atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.
We plan to host art and music therapy sessions designed for people with PMLD, picnics and gardening activities, something for everyone. We welcome enquiries beforehand so we are ready to meet needs. In collaboration with PAMIS, we provide Accessible Toilets through the mobile Pamiloo.
We are new and our function will evolve with time, along with the needs of those who are looking for help. So if you are a parent, PA, or relative of somebody you think would benefit from what we do, or you have a suggestion, please contact us. And keep your eye on our Events calendar.
We share our knowledge of what works for people with PMLD/autism, their families and carers, both informally and formally.
Our one-off gatherings are opportunities for informal sharing and networking. We are growing a network of parents and carers, supported by PAMIS, (Promoting A More Inclusive Scotland), SCLD (Scottish Commission for people with Learning Disabilities) and our local communities. We link with Scottish Autism, the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, Scottish Government, the Stakeholder Participation Group NHS Tayside, the Bield at Blackruthven, the Universities of Portsmouth and Edinburgh Napier.
Appletree Community: a vision of home
I want to feel safe with compassionate care that makes me feel happy, in my own home, with routines and activities - not forgetting parties! - supported by wider community.
LOUIS SAINSBURY
We support research
Appletree Community is a home for life for Louis Sainsbury, envisioned by his mother, Kate, our Chair. Louis spent over three years in a locked hospital ward, because of the short supply of quality care for people with PMLD. The Aiteal Trust supported a collaborative research project, involving Louis himself, Kate, the Universities of Portsmouth and Edinburgh Napier, PAMIS, telling Louis’s story and examining the Vision- Implementation - Sustainability phases that brought into being and sustains Appletree Community. Its learning will benefit others seeking care in community and those supporting them .
THIS IS A LINK TO OUR RESEARCH launched Monday 19th June 2023: ‘Louis’s Story: The Story of Appletree’
Sainsbury, L, Sainsbury, K, Abdulla, S, Grieve, I, Nunkoosing, K, Philp, L, Phillip, M, Pycroft, A, Spassiani, N and Wamposzyc, M
Who are we?
Patrons
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Laura Mcardle
EXPERT BY EXPERIENCE
‘Laura enjoys life supported by people who are dedicated to trying to get things right for her.
Laura may not understand everything that’s involved in setting things up but more than anyone, she knows what works and what doesn’t work for her.
This experience is hopefully an inspiration for others, including Louis at Appletree, and all those who come to benefit from the activities of the Aiteal Trust.’ -
Rory Stewart
Rory Stewart is a writer and a Fellow at Yale University. He is also a former UK cabinet minister and is living in Jordan where he is supporting a charity.
Trustees
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Jane Jackson
TRUSTEE
Jane Jackson has a background in both journalism and advertising and graduated with a degree in marketing management some 20 years ago. She is currently fitting in her studies for an OU degree in English Literature & Creative Writing around family life.
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Helen Martin
TRUSTEE
Helen is a qualified lawyer working for SSE in Perth and a Comrie resident. She got to know Louis and Kate when their lovely Highland ponies shared a field. She saw clearly the positive effect that time spent with the ponies had on Louis and the joy it gave Kate. She supports Kate's determination to find Louis an environment that he can truly call home and is delighted to be part of that journey in her role as a Trustee of the Aiteal Trust.
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Rachel Mcleod
SECRETARY
Rachel is a retired Paediatric & General Nurse who has known Kate, Louis & family for almost 30 years.
Rachel has a brother with PMLD and has personal experience of the effect on the individual and family of inappropriate institutional care and the huge benefits of a caring home-style community with committed carers. She knows her family would have appreciated the support which the Aiteal trust will offer to families and their loved ones with PMLD. -
Maureen Phillip
TRUSTEE
Maureen works with PAMIS in a research, development and family support capacity, particularly focussing on multi-sensory storytelling (MSST). For 20 years she has designed innovative MSST programmes, supporting cultural, heritage sites and festivals to develop more inclusive storytelling practices. People with PMLD, their friends and families have been Maureen’s best teachers, she says. She passionately believes that play and creative process can reveal hidden stories that people with PMLD have yet to tell.
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Kate Sainsbury
CHAIR
Founder of the Appletree Community, a Lay Reader, driven by love for her son, Louis, Kate has campaigned for many years for visibility and quality care for people with PMLD/autism, for their right to be respected as people and cared for in a compassionate way. She looks forward with hope to a creative life within this community for all who are involved.
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Nick Wharton
TREASURER
Nick trained as an Environmental Health Officer and has worked in workplace health and safety for many years, specialising in culture and behaviour-based safety. He lives in the Lake District where is a keen climber. He writes climbing guidebooks for the Lakes area and has recently published a book about his many and varied adventures.