Loss of autism service 'would leave a void' - mum

Autism Guernsey has lost its funding after eight years

Parents who use a service to support autistic children say they will have nowhere else to go after its closure.

Autism Guernsey announced after eight years the funding for its children's services would come to an end in December after the BBC's Children in Need (CiN) rejected its application for continued support.

Mother Vicki, who has an autistic son, said she believed the States of Guernsey should be "doing something" to help the services continue.

She said her son, William, had been attending the Amazing Club at Autism Guernsey for about a year, and said the ending of services would leave a "void". Health and Social Care said it was working with the charity.

'Big chunk'

Vicki said: "He settled in really quickly... it gives me peace of mind that he is settled, comfortable and happy.

"You want your young people to have friendships, groups and to feel included. By going to Autism Guernsey, he does feel included and he always looks forward to going.

"For them to stop, it would be a big chunk out of our week."

She said she felt "disappointed" that the services for children were coming to an end and added her son had developed more confidence since attending.

'Should be continued'

"There is nothing else in Guernsey that would fill that specific void," she said.

"In my mind, I believe the States should be doing something, with the fact that the awareness around autism is growing so rapidly."

She added: "It should be continued. If there was a magic wand to continue their amazing work, it should happen."

A spokesperson for Health and Social Care said staff were “working closely” with Autism Guernsey to explore what could be done to “mitigate the impact on children, adults and families from the loss of this funding”.

'So supportive'

Another parent, Sue, said her two teenagers attended the Amazing Club and that they would be "devastated" if the club was to come to an end.

She said: "As parents we find the club so supportive because they have their wellbeing facilitated by people who are specially trained in autism.

"As a family we have found so much support there, particularly in times where children have been going through difficult times at school."

She said parents were able to speak with the facilitators who helped them understand their children, as well as attend its training sessions. She said the services were "helpful" and would be "missed" if it came to an end.

'Amazing group'

She said parents with autistic children were also a good support network and added their family had met an "amazing group of parents" through the club.

She said: "To not have that anymore would take away that support for families.

"Hopefully they will be able to source some more funding."

The service said it had provided support to young people and their families and carers, largely funded by the CiN money.

In August, the charity said, the end of funding "has been a huge blow" and Autism Guernsey's Children Services would cease in December.