T H E N E W S L E T T E R F O R A U T I S M G U E R N S E YNEWS

I t has been a busy few months for Autism Guernsey who continue to introduce new initiatives, raise awareness and provide a wide range of activities

and support for the local autism community. There is news of great fund raising initiatives and of a summer of activities for young people as well as the current recruitment drive to attract volunteers for The Befriending Scheme. org.gg”

Contact us on 01481 727965 or info@autismguernsey.org.gg

Ensuring a positive future for autism

EVEN THE SMALLESTTHINGS CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE

People affected by autism or learning disability may find it harder than others to form healthy relationships

and make friends. This can sometimes lead to people feeling isolated and lonely.

Befrienders can make that all important difference.

A JOINT INITIATIVE BETWEEN AUTISM GUERNSEY AND GUERNSEY MENCAP

Interested? Get in touch and we will answer any questions you may have and send you an application form.

email: befriending@autismguernsey.org.ggphone: 727965

www.autismguernsey.org.gg

BECOME A BEFRIENDER

Local

Guernsey

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2014

VOLUNTEER CAMPAIGN – BEFRIENDING

T he Befriending Scheme, a successful project jointly run by Autism Guernsey and Guernsey Mencap, has launched a campaign to recruit

more volunteer Befrienders The campaign is targeted at the whole community and training will take place in October. Tina James, Befriending Coordinator, was interviewed by BBC Radio Guernsey recently. “People affected by autism or learning disability may find it harder than others to form healthy relationships and make friends. This can sometimes lead to people feeling isolated and lonely. Befrienders can make that all important difference,” said Tina. If Interested? Get in touch and we will answer any questions you may have and send you an application form. You can also see how much of a difference befriending can make to both you and people with autism. Channel TV recently followed one of our befrienders. To find out more visit...http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline%5Fcharity/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=509918

WE’RE IN TH E SWIM!

A utism Guernsey will be one of the two charity beneficier-ies from this year’s Swimarathon. From the 8th to 12th October at Beau Sejour Leisure Centre you can swim,

paddle, or even row your way up and down the pool to raise money. Last year 1,540 swimmers raised £45,000 for charitable causes in Guernsey and this year the organisers would like to top that. We’ll certainly be diving in to support this long estab-lished event. Good luck to all of you who are taking part.

T H E N E W S L E T T E R F O R A U T I S M G U E R N S E YNEWS

Help us win £3,000 at the touch of a button... how you say? We’ve been shortlisted for the Lloyds Bank Community Fund 2014 and you can vote for us by any of the following methods (you can do each one once if you wish):

1) Text ‘Vote JJK’ to 07860 014 1002) Post a tweet including the following hashtag and code ‘#commfund JJK’3) Vote for us on the Community Fund Website at the following link https://lly-cf.com/JJK 4) Vote for us in person at any one of the Lloyds Bank in the Bailiwick (Smith Street Guernsey, St Sampsons Guernsey, St Martins Guernsey or St. Anne’s Alderney)Voting is now open and will close at midnight on Friday 10th October. The following link will take you to the Autism Guernsey voting page.

Ensuring a positive future for autism

H ELP US WIN £3 ,000

NIGHT R IDE - ON YOUR B IKE !

Autism Guernsey and the local National Autistic Society worked in partnership to produce a range of activities to be offered to children on the autism spectrum between the ages of 4-15 years over the summer. This was facilitated with five support staff and the Autism Guernsey Coordinator. Forty activities were offered over five weeks includingSailing with the Sailing Trust, Surfing with the Guernsey Surf School, Arts and Craft with the Art commission, Archery, trampoline sessions plus much more. Fifty children have accessed these over the summer, trying new skills and enjoying meeting other children. Families have commented that the activities have been excellent and they felt they all had a less stressful time over the summer because of the structure that has been offered, it has enabled families to meet up and meet people that they had not met before.

A unique charity night ride organised by the Guernsey Bicycle Group returns to island roads in October to raise funds for Autism Guernsey and the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation. The event that saw 300 sponsored cyclists raise more than £7000 for charity last year is being backed by Healthspan for the second year. Organisers are looking to build on the success of the first NightRide that aims to persuade local riders of all ages, abilities and fitness levels to tackle one of four carefully planned rides. Cyclists will set out on their chosen route from Vazon Bay at 5.30 pm on Saturday 11th October.We are planning on putting together a team for the ride, if you would like to join the Autism Guernsey team on the night please email office@autismguernsey.org.gg or call 727965 for a registration form. Alternatively you can register directly to ride or to volunteer on the night by emailing nightride@healthspan.co.uk or calling Luisa on 711321.

SUMMER ACTIV IT IES

T H E N E W S L E T T E R F O R A U T I S M G U E R N S E YNEWS

The Autistix had a great time in Guernsey where they were hosted by NAS Guernsey and Autism Guernsey as part of our mission to raise autism awareness. The band had fun being interviewed on BBC Radio Guernsey by John Randall. The Fermain Tavern was a great venue and the crowd was very lively and really rocked to the music. We would love them to return and perform again. Special thanks to Catherine Hall for being a power-house in putting together the whole trip and gig. The support act was local band ‘Stuck on the Ceiling’.

Ensuring a positive future for autism

AUTIST IX ROCK TH E TAV

AUTISM FRIENDLY SCREENING

The Mallard will once again be offering an autism friendly screening on Sunday 14th September at 10.30am when they will show House of Magic in 2D. Autism friendly screenings are popular around the UK and simple adjustments are made to make the showings more accessible for people with autism. These include volume control, dimming the lights, no other screenings at the same time to avoid crowded foyers and allowing people to walk around in the cinema if they wish. Tickets for this special screening can be booked at the Mallard on the usual number of 266366. For further information why not have a read of this recent BBC news articlehttp://www.bbc.com/news/health-14494676

The Guernsey Sports Commission organised an Autism Seminar for local sports coaches which aimed to explore how coaches could improve their coaching to cater for autistic individuals. Check out the video featuring Andy’s presentation... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsv4G-uhY_c

Want to find out more?Contact us on 01481 727965 or info@autismguernsey.org.gg Follow us on Facebook and TwitterAutism Guernsey | Unit 3B | Best Complex | Ruette Braye | St Peter Port | Guernsey | GY1 1PL Channel Islands | UK

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