Published: Wednesday, 24th September, 2008 12:00
Autism charity celebrates achievements
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AN AUTISM charity is celebrating two years’ of providing extra support to families.
The Berkshire Autistic Society was given enough money by the Big Lottery Fund to run its telephone helpline five days a week.
Chairwoman Jane May said: “Our Lottery funding ends next September and one of our main priorities over the next year has to be ensuring that we have the funding to continue and to develop the work that we have started to support families in Berkshire affected by autism.”
The helpline offers support and advice to people affected by autism, on topics including education, benefits and leisure. The charity has been running for 18 years and held its annual dinner at the Gulshan restaurant in Reading this month, when the Mayor of Reading, Cllr Peter Beard, was the guest of honour.
The society offers information to parents, carers and professionals and lobbies for improvements to education, respite care, leisure activities and other services across Berkshire.
It also runs an adult social group, talks for parents and professionals, information days, a library of books and equipment for children and helps provide affordable swimming, trampolining, outings and other activities.
The charity estimates that one person in a hundred has some form of autism.
Some are able to live relatively “normal” lives, while others require a very high level of care.
It is keen to hear from anyone interested in raising funds.
Call the Berkshire Autistic Society’s helpline on 0118 959 4594.
Email contact@autismberkshire.org.uk or visit www.autismberkshire.org.uk
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