Autism support

I am involved in a charity (awaiting charity status) called “The S.A.F.E. Group (Sudbury Autistic, Fun and Expression Group)”.

Last year, the charity called “Autism Anglia” closed down its Autism Room located near St Peters church in Sudbury. This was the only location within Suffolk as a community drop-in centre for those with, and affected by Autism. With the closing of this location, the nearest location for Autism support is Colchester and Chelmsford.

Not wanting to have a presence in Sudbury diminish for any and all Autistic people, members of the previous support group have gathered together to create a new drop-in centre for those who have, or involved with people with Autistic tendencies.

This support group currently meets at Living Waters Fellowship Church on Gregory Street in Sudbury between 10:00 am till 2:00 pm on Thursdays, with a support group of between 6 and 12 people, which is gradually increasing.

We hold many activities, creating all sorts of sensory crafts, painting and writing.

On top of looking to promote the work and awareness of this support group, I would also like to see if there are any people who are able to make a contribution to this work. We are always grateful for the items received, and all craft items come in handy when making sensory items to help teach and encourage those who have Autism function in a world that can sometimes be overwhelming.

Autism affects millions of people in the UK, either directly or indirectly, and we aim to help those affected by this with local support and activities to help encourage those who are often given up on by the world. We have members that come from as far as Bury St Edmund’s, with new people turning up each time we open.

If you are able to donate items such as rice (used in making bean bags), flour (used in making stress balls), paints or other craft items, we would be more than eternally grateful. We will be in Living Waters Fellowship Church from 9:00 am on Thursdays till around 2:00 pm. If you would like to pop down for a chat, or to see what work it is that we do, or understand how Autism affects people, then please do come down for a cuppa and a chat. When you see what can be achieved by our members, you will be amazed.

Thanking you in advance for support and prayers,

Brendan (email: wpfphotography@live.com)