Summer 2013

We have recently celebrated the success of Portfield School teacher Soraya Monzon-Diaz, who won the award for Individual Achievement by an Educational Professional at the National Autism Professionals Awards. A prestigious, national award, we couldn’t be more proud of Soraya and her continued dedication to providing outstanding education at Portfield School.

Following in the impressive, award winning footsteps of Soraya, we have not one, but two further members of staff who have both reached finalist stage of the Langtry Manor Venus Awards aimed at celebrating women in business.

Gemma Saunders, Corporate Partnerships Officer, who works in the Fundraising team, has been nominated as ‘Networker of the Year’ and Lisa McKenzie, Secretary to CEO and Facilities and Procurement Manager, is a finalist in the PA of the Year category. Both colleagues are much valued and we would be delighted to see them announced as winners at the awards ceremony in June. We will bring you more news as soon we have it!

As a charity we continue to attract high calibre staff across all of our service areas. Community Wessex is currently recruiting Support Workers to The Community Support Service. If you know anyone seeking a career as a Support Worker to provide flexible and individualised support to people with autism and/or learning disabilities in the community, please put them in touch with Area Manager jo.pattison@autismwessex.org.uk. You can call Jo for more information on 01202 853000.

We are looking for local people celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary in 2013 to come and celebrate with us at our inaugural Ball to mark the 45th anniversary of the charity. We would like to gift two VIP tickets to attend the Ball on 29th June to a local couple with a love story to share.

Paul Reade, Community and Events Fundraiser comments; “We wanted to have a bit of fun with this event and invite anyone celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary this year to get in touch and tell us their story. The winning couple will receive two complimentary tickets to attend the Ball, worth over £100 and VIP treatment on the night.”

Guests will be entertained by a table magician and music group The Alibi. The Ball will also feature a Grand Charity Auction. This is a red carpet event, full of glitz and glamour, and we

would love for you to join us! Tickets are £55 per person - or if you would like to book a table for 10 people, this is just £500. The price of the ticket includes a drink on arrival and a three course meal as well as entertainment.

All costs have been covered by our generous sponsors; Salad Creative, NWM Solutions and Basepoint Bournemouth, meaning every penny raised will be reinvested into the charity. We have also teamed up with award winning boutique, Fab Frocks of Westbourne who will be donating 10% of every full price dress sold to anyone attending the Sapphire Ball. Simply mention the ‘Dress to Donate’ scheme to receive your discount.

For further information, or to book a table, please contact 01202 703597 or email paul.reade@autismwessex.org.uk. You can also book your tickets via our website.

It has been a busy time since we announced our new name and look in February which has been met with a very positive reception. Thank you to those of you who attended our launch event and to so many of you who have been in touch since with your positive comments. 2013 is our Sapphire anniversary year, marking our 45th year since a group of parents started the charity in 1968. We will be marking the occasion with a Sapphire themed Ball on Saturday 29th June at The Queens Hotel Bournemouth. We have included more details in this newsletter so please read more about how you can come and celebrate with us.

We recently celebrated World Autism Awareness Day with the making of a new video entitled ‘My Brother Stanley’. Thank you to the Holes family for allowing us to film them all, and especially Albie Holes, younger brother of Stanley, who helped make the video diary. The short film reflects on life with a sibling who has autism. (Stanley is a residential student at Portfield School.) You can watch the captivating video via our website and if you would like to help other families like Stanley’s you can donate via www.autismwessex.org.uk/donate.

Community Wessex, our social care services, has recently acquired a further property to meet with demand, which will be opening in September for four young adults. Called ‘Penny Farthing’ the property is located in spacious grounds in New Milton, Hampshire.

Thank you for your support of the charity and your continued interest. If you would prefer to receive our e-newsletter, which we produce bi-monthly, please submit your email address to marketing@autismwessex.org.uk.

Welcome

Summer 2013Autism Wessex

R W Lowndes, CEO

Couples Invited to Celebrate ‘Sapphire’ Anniversary with us!

The Community Support Service is delighted to announce the appointment of April Sauve as the new Manager of Colcombe Cottage and High Croft, Valley View near Broadwindsor.

April will take up post from 1st July and brings with her a wealth of managerial experience. We are delighted that she will be joining the team. Thanks to our deputies at these services who have stepped up through the interim period.

New Manager Appointed

We are lucky to have the services of counsellor Emma Laing, who has been offering free counselling sessions at Autism Wessex. Emma has been counselling some of the adults who attend our drop in groups for adults with Asperger Syndrome over the last year and she would now like to open out the service to parents and carers of either children or adults with autism (including Asperger Syndrome).

Emma generally offers between 6 and 10 sessions to people if she feels counselling would be of benefit to the individual and works from our office in Dorchester. If you would like more information or would be interested in accessing the counselling service please contact the Information and Advice Service on 01305 213135 or email advice@autismwessex.org.uk.

Free Counselling

Summer 2013Autism Wessex

Somerley Run Sunday 23 June

This will be the 13th year that we have held a run at Somerley – the twist this year is that it will be held in the Summer whereas normally it is held over the Christmas break. So bring your family and enjoy a picnic in the beautiful private estate in the summer sunshine.

The 10k race will start at 11am and will cost just £10 in advance or £15 on the day. The family friendly fun run will cost just £3 if you pre book or £5 on the day.

We are grateful to Williams Thompson Solicitors LLP who will be sponsoring this event. In order to ensure that every penny raised supports people affected by autism and other associated

difficulties we are seeking further corporate sponsors for the event. Please contact our Corporate Partnerships Officer Gemma Saunders on 01202 703595.

Anyone wanting to book their place can do so via www.autismwessex.org.uk or by calling Paul Reade on 01202 703597.

New Home Opening for Residential ServicesOur residential services are expanding with one additional house purchase each year to meet the growing demand for the charity to provide quality residential accommodation.

We have recently completed our latest acquisition of a property in New Milton, Hampshire called ‘Penny Farthing’. Located in a substantial plot in a convenient location near New Milton’s main shopping parade, the home is a welcome addition to our residential properties. Four young adults will move into their new home in September 2013.

We hope to be opening a further property in 2014 once we have found a suitable property to purchase. Further details on Penny Farthing can be found on our website.

The Care Quality Commission has been busy lately having inspected all of our 8 social care services registered with them. The CQC is the regulator for Health and Social Care in England. Inspectors monitor services against the Essential Standards of Quality and Safety; these cover the key areas of:

• Involvement and information • Treatment and support • Suitability of staffing • Personalised care • Safeguarding and safety • Quality and management

Out of 43 standards inspected, 42 were fully met, with only 1 requiring further action. This is a great achievement for all involved and reflects the hard work and progress of staff in our social care services.

CQC Inspection

| Yorkshire Building Society | CSE Citation Centre | Williams Thompson Solicitors | Basepoint Bournemouth | Bank of New York Mellon | Wave 105 | BCF | Dike & Son | HSBC | Longfleet School | St Marks School | ASDA Castlepoint | Solent Community Chest | JP Morgan | Nationwide | NWM Solutions | Salad Creative | Empire Cinemas | Station Financial | JJ Moore | Joy Aubin Ltd | Harbour Bonfield | Carford Group | AJ Supplies | ETMSS Ltd | Martin Barker Electrical | Holton Homes | Branksome Park | Doughty Engineering | Debbie Clark Consulting | Wool Primary School | JCP Law | Canford School | Edwards Auto Body Works | Horsa Lodge | Hampshire and Isle of Wight Masonic Grand Charity | Stuart Smith | Olivia Lickiss | Big Lottery Fund | Barry Light | Mr & Mrs Hahn | Mark Langford | Rotary Club of Christchurch | Shop on the Green, Fordington | New Milton Round Table | Lions Club of Dorchester and district | Mr C Page | Bransgore Townswomen’s Guild | David Skipper | Ringwood and Fordingbridge Lions | Swanage Middle School | Mr R Hogwood | Awards For All | Bournemouth University Event Management Students | Linda Eavis | Debbie Vincent | Parley Cricket Club | Highcliffe Rotary Ladies | Bournemouth School for Boys | Lions Club of Christchurch

Thank you

Summer 2013Autism Wessex

Autism Wessex Bargates Court, 22 Bargates Christchurch BH23 1QL

T 01202 483360 E enquiries@autismwessex.org.uk W www.autismwessex.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1000792

We recognise that just as families differ, so do needs for respite care. Our Wessex Lodge service is open all year round and can cater for both short term or longer breaks depending on requirements.

If you know anyone who would benefit from this respite service please contact Matt Burton on 01202 331556.

Wessex Lodge

Due to rapid expansion The Community Support Service has moved into new offices based near Castlepoint in Bournemouth.

The Community Support Service employs 19 support workers on permanent contracts, and has increased the number of relief support staff from 36 to 96 over the past year, an increase of 166%! As a result there was a need for more space for staff and to accommodate service users who regularly visit the office.

The new office space is located within the Big Yellow Store and Secure building on Yeoman’s Way, behind Castlepoint. You are welcome to come and visit us anytime and we will be hosting an official Open Day in the coming months.

The Community Support Service is currently looking for additional office space in Southampton and we look forward to bringing you more news when we have secured Southampton offices.

New Offices!