New autism centre gets £10k boost from Westfield Health
A new centre which will provide support for people with autism spectrum disorders in Yorkshire has been given a £10,000 boost thanks to a donation from Westfield Health.
Autism Plus has received the funding towards their Future Plus appeal, which was launched at the Sheffield City Region business dinner in November last year.
The donation is helping to pay for the conversion of its new centre in the heart of Sheffield, which will enable the charity to provide an expanded range of facilities for its service users.
The building, at Exchange Brewery on Bridge Street, will house a multi-functioning facility which will include a brand new drama studio, IT resources and additional support services for those accessing the charity’s services.
Autism Plus is a registered charity working throughout Yorkshire to provide services to adults and children with autism spectrum conditions, learning disabilities and mental health conditions, supporting them to reach their full potential and live as independently as possible.
Philip Bartey, Group Chief Executive of Autism Plus, said: “We are extremely grateful to Westfield Health for providing us with this generous donation and for recognising the work we do in the region.
“Autism Plus is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, so it seems fitting that we are entering an exciting new stage in a new facility that will allow us to provide vital additional support for people with autism spectrum conditions and other learning difficulties.”
It is estimated that there are more than 500,000 people in the UK who are living with autism, which means as many as one in 100 people have the condition.
Graham Moore, Chairman of Westfield Health, said: “Autism Plus plays a vital role in our region to support people who are living with autism, so we are delighted to show our support for the cause.
“It is great to see that the donation is being used to create a new space in order for the charity to provide a wider range of services for individuals who benefit so greatly from the support provided.”