Call for States to support Autism Guernsey charity

Lorna Higgins-Bare said "this feels like an opportunity" for the States

A mother whose son has autism says she believes the States of Guernsey needs to "step-in" to support a charity financially.

Lorna Higgins-Bare said the end of the service was a "huge blow" after it was announced last week that Autism Guernsey was losing "vital funding" to its children's services.

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

The States of Guernsey said health staff were working to "mitigate the impact" of the funding loss.

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

Ms Higgins-Bare, co-founder of support group Autism and Me Guernsey, said the end of the service was a "huge blow to the community".

'Lifeline'

She said: "They are basically a lifeline to so many children and their families, so it is really concerning.

"I would love Autism Guernsey to be funded by the States - fully or in part - and to be a one-stop shop for the autism community.

"The States is doing a fantastic job at diagnosing people, which is great. However, what happens post-diagnosis is so important.

"I feel like the States need to step-in. This feels like an opportunity."

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