Welcome to our Spring Newsletter
We hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and New Year and looking forward to 2019.
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Upcoming Events - Save The Date!
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Flag Day
We are holding our annual Flag Day on Saturday 30th March to raise much needed funds to support the autism community. If you would like to volunteer an hour and a half of your time to 'shake' a bucket at one of the venues, then please contact Mandy on 232879 or office@autismguernsey.org.gg. Thank you.
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Guernsey Photographic Quiz - Beaches/Bays/Kiosks/Cafes
Due to the huge success of last year's landmarks quiz, we will be holding another one over the Easter holidays. 80 photographs of beaches, bays and kiosks/beach cafes around Guernsey will need to be identified. The quiz will cost £2 per sheet and will be available for sale in March from various venues around around the Island.
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Fashion Show & Auction
Autism Guernsey are delighted to be holding their next Annual Fashion Show & Auction at St. Pierre Park on Wednesday 5th June.
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32 donated outfits will be modelled and auctioned at the end of the night. The clothes being modelled range from sizes 8 to 18, however there will also be rails of clothes for sale from sizes 6 - 22.
We are currently looking for donations of clothes, shoes, hats, fascinators, handbags, cardigans etc. to fit in with our themes of Day Wear/Casual, Evening Wear, Summer Ball & Wedding. If you have any good quality items you would like to donate, please contact Mandy on 232879 or office@autismguernsey.org.gg.
Tickets for the Fashion Show will be available in the next couple of months.
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Charity Golf Day
We will be holding our annual charity Golf Day on Friday 21st June at La Grande Mare Hotel. Teams will comprise of 5 players and entry will be £60 per person to include a round of golf and 3 course evening dinner.
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If you don't have a team of 5, don't worry we can make up a team for you with other players.
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'Under the Sea' Cocktail Challenge
Autism Guernsey will be holding their next Cocktail Challenge at Urban Kitchen on Friday 18th October. The theme this year will be 'Under the Sea' so get your thinking caps on now to come up with an original cocktail and outfit!
Teams will comprise of 5 adults who will have designed a themed cocktail prior to the event. The aim is to make the cocktail on the night and sell as many as you can to the guests at the highest price. Prizes will be awarded for Best Cocktail, Best Costume and Highest Earning Cocktail.
The entry fee will be £300 per team to include all the alcohol etc. to make the cocktails. This is a great, fun, team-building event which gets very messy!
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Autism Guernsey was overwhelmed to be awarded £25,000 from the proceeds of the Dia de los Muertos Ball held at Beau Sejour on 20th October 2018.
We cannot begin to thank the two wonderful ladies, Claire Wakefield and Nadia Newton, enough for organising this fantastic evening which was enjoyed immensely by all the guests. Without the support of donors such as these Autism Guernsey would be unable to continue to provide all their services to the local autism community.
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Zombie Apocalypse Cocktail Challenge
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Autism Guernsey’s Cocktail Challenge returned for its fourth year when 8 corporate teams unleashed their inner mixologist and competed to raise vital funds for the local charity. The event raised £3003 which will help the charity to carry out their invaluable work supporting those on the autistic spectrum.
The Zombie Apocolypse Cocktail Challenge saw three rounds of teams compete for glory. They were given 30 minutes to mix, muddle and make an original cocktail recipe to sell to guests and other team members for a donation.
Three prizes were up for grabs on the night; Highest Earning Cocktail, Best Cocktail and Best Costume. These were judged by local personality Richard Harding from Island FM and he awarded Mystery Incorporated (aka Ravenscroft) the ‘pineapple’ trophy for the highest earning cocktail named ‘Would you do it for a Scooby snack?’.
Many thanks to Les Rocquettes Hotel and Randalls for all the support they gave us in hosting this annual event.
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Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea
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Our Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea was a great success and raised £1,300 for the Charity. What better way to spend a winter afternoon than spoiling yourself with Afternoon Tea, being pampered and shopping for an evening dress or coat. Many thanks to Les Cotils for allowing us to use the Harry Bound Room and providing the delicious food, and huge thanks to the beauticians who donated their time providing pampering sessions such as mini manicures, hair styling, facials and mini make-overs. Also we are extremely grateful to Isabella Powis, an 8 year old little girl with autism, who made some beautiful soaps and Christmas gifts which were sold at the event in aid of Autism Guernsey.
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Autism Guernsey Winter Wonderland
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We are ever so grateful to the Bachmanns for once again allowing us to hold another Winter Wonderland in their beautiful gardens for individuals with autism and their families. We had some great feedback and also raised £364.80 for the Charity.
Many thanks also to the Rotary Club, and to the volunteer ladies who kindly made some lovely food and served it alongside hot teas and coffees. Father Christmas also did a wonderful job handing out presents to the children which were really appreciated.
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Round Table Charity Christmas Fayre
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We were delighted to be able to host another stall at the Charity Christmas Fayre at Beau Sejour in November and raised £276.90 selling second-hand toys and children's books. Thank you to all who generously donated items for us to sell.
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Interests Group Christmas Party
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Thank you so much to Pete & Jan of the Hampshire Lodge who kindly allowed the Interests Group to hold their Christmas disco there. Everybody had a dance which shows how relaxed everybody feels at this adult social group.
Many thanks to Peter & Helen Fernandez who run the Interests Group on the last Sunday of every month. Without their loyal support the Group would not be able to continue.
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Pottery Painting at Iris & Dora
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A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon was had by all who attended the pottery painting at Iris & Dora. This activity was kindly sponsored by Partners Group.
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Attention Autism Training Course
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In the autumn, Kelly Fay delivered part one of the Attention Autism training to the Speech & Language Service and also to the Early Years Practioners. Attention Autism is a fantastic teaching method which encourages children with autism to focus on and to follow an adult led agenda.
She will be delivering the second part of the training to SALT on 28th January. The course for the Early Years Practitioners has been over-subscribed so she will continue to work with them in the spring and summer.
The delivery of this course was kindly sponsored by Help a Guernsey Child.
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Under 25's Sports Activities
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Rothschilds have kindly provided a grant to Autism Guernsey to enable sports professionals to deliver sports/physical activities to children and young people with autism under the age of 25. These activities will specifically cater for these individuals' needs.
Many individuals with autism find it too stressful to join groups due to noise levels, lighting, difficulties with communication etc. and therefore do not have the opportunities that neuro-typical individuals have. From January children and young people whom Autism Guernsey currently support will be given the opportunity to try activities for 3 consecutive weeks at a time such as archery, climbing, gym etc.
These particular sports professionals are experienced or trained in working with individuals with autism.
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Prudential Ride London 2019/2020
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We are delighted to have secured a Golden Ballot for 3 riders for 2019 & 2020 to raise money for Autism Guernsey.
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Earlybird Healthy Minds Course
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Due to a kind and generous donation from the EPIC Challenge & Guernsey Mind, Autism Guernsey has been able to run the EarlyBird Healthy Minds Programme for parents/carers of young people between the ages 5-12 years on the autism spectrum. This is an accredited course licenced by the National Autistic Society and it seeks to help parents establish strategies and practices that promote emotional well-being and prevent or reduce mental health difficulties in their children and themselves. It runs for six sessions and includes strategies that can help to build self–esteem, increase confidence, reduce anxiety and develop resilience.
Some comments from parents on the course include:
“Great discussions and sharing of information”
“Fantastic course / Helpful strategies”
“Lots to take in today – the sensory discussion was very relevant”
“Taking on a lot of comments from other parents, helpful tips”
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Accessible Shopping Evening
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On 3rd December the Guernsey Disability Alliance organised an Accessible Shopping Evening for individuals with disabilities, including hidden disabilities such as autism. This evening was the first of its kind in Guernsey and proved to be very successful.
Autism Guernsey hosted a stall in the Inner Market selling DVD's which had been kindly donated by a member of the public.
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New Coding Club for Children
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Due to the success of our current Coding Club, we will now be delivering an additional Coding Club for younger children on the autism spectrum. This has been kindly sponsored by Avenue Trust.
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We are delighted that Only Fools & Donkeys have given us a grant to bring over a 'Sleep Trainer' to train Autism Guernsey staff and other professionals in sleep strategies over the course of 2 days.
Once our staff are fully trained they will be able to hold their own workshops for parents of children with autism. The aim of the workshop is to encourage children to get a better night's sleep using gentle methods. This includes understanding sleep cycles, common sleep issues and strategies to manage these, establishing appropriate routines, keeping sleep diaries and interpreting the data and environments.
Sleep is vitally important for the mental, physical and emotional well-being of both children and parents. Sleep deprived children are less likely to do well in school.
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How you can help support Autism Guernsey
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Lottery
The primary aim of the Autism Guernsey Lottery is to ensure the sustainability of the Charity. Autism Guernsey offers a range of support in the local community including an Outreach Service where staff give one-to-one help to individuals and families. Demand outstrips our capacity and therefore we have a significant waiting list with referrals for support being received on a daily basis. To download a registration form, click here.
The charity receives no financial support from the States and has to rely on fundraising and charitable donations to continue the valuable work within the community.
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Join easyfundraising and you can collect free donations for Autism Guernsey every time you buy something online. It won't cost you a penny extra, so please help us to raise funds.
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Donations Needed
We are looking for Summer Clothes, Shoes, Handbags etc. for our Fashion Show.
Also we are looking for Raffle Prizes for our fundraising events. If you have any unwanted items from Christmas or would like to donate a prize, it would be greatly appreciated.
If you are able to donate any of the above items, please contact Mandy on Tel: 232879 office@autismguernsey.org.gg
Thank you.
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Guernsey Autism Partnership (GAP)
A drop-in and advisory service for anyone impacted by autism. Available on Thursdays, 8.30am - 3.30pm.
Please visit the GAP website for more information. Due to the current high demand, we would advise phoning to book a time to pop in if at all possible.
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Children & Young People's Groups
My Time, Play Time (up to School Year 5).
Monday, 15.45 - 16.45, at Bright Beginnings.
Amazing Club (School Year 5 to Year 9 inclusive)
Tuesday, 15.45 - 17.45
Amazing Club 2 (School Year 10 up to age 18 years)
Tuesday, 18.00 - 20.00
Both held at the Youth Commission building at Les Ozouets Campus (the old St Peter Port School)
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If you would like your child to attend any of the above Clubs, please contact Autism Guernsey for a referral form.
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Adult Social Groups
In addition to the children's clubs, there are also two groups for adults: The Interests Group and The Club With No Name. See our website for further details.
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Outreach Services
The outreach service provides tailored and comprehensive support to individuals affected by autism within the community.
Established in 2012, the aim is to enable the individual to manage autism so that they can have a positive and fulfilling life – making choices that are right for them.
We adapt our services to the individual’s needs. No person is the same and that is something we respect and value.
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SocialEyes
The programme helps individuals with autism to learn social interaction skills or alternative social strategies. It focuses on eight social skills that people on the autism spectrum can have difficulty with, including starting a conversation, eye contact and personal space.
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CBT
The programme enables individuals with Aspergers Syndrome to better understand their depression, and teaches them skills and strategies they can use to manage anxiety and depression throughout their life.
The programme is based on established CBT principles, but is specifically adapted for individuals with autism.
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Earlybird Healthy Minds
This programme aims to empower parents/carers to understand more about the mental health issues that young people with autism may face. Participants are encouraged to use a range of strategies to help their child develop, and to maintain a positive and confident approach to daily life.
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If you require support from the Outreach Service, or are interested in attending SocialEyes, CBT or the Earlybird Healthy Minds programmes, please contact Autism Guernsey for a referral form.
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Other Services
For information about other services we provide please contact us or visit our website.
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We are extremely grateful for the following donations received during the last quarter of 2018. Without donations such as these we would be unable to remain sustainable as we receive no States funding.
Grants/Donations
- Waitrose - £621 from the collection of green tokens
- Ravenscroft - Donation from the staff
- Louvre Group - Donation
- Law Officers of the Crown - Donation from Mufti Day
- Channel Islands Adjusters Ltd - Donation in lieu of Christmas Cards
- Living Room - Donation for selling a house (vendor's choice)
- Donations in memory of Shane Paul Bougourd
- Victoria Hospital - Donation
- Avenue Trust - Grant for new Coding Club
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A client's mother says "Without the 1-1 and what may seem to you as just a bit of advice, XX would not be where he is now without your input."
XX said "The best thing about going to club is seeing Katie every week."
"I would like to thank Autism Guernsey for a lovely evening last night, it was perfect. My son loved it as it was calm, quiet and not too busy. His gift from Santa was perfect as well."
"I wanted to let you know that XX lives and values Amazing Club, everyone who sets foot in our house is shown the set of compass! The club has really offered XX an anchor and we really appreciate it. XX also really enjoyed Coding Club last night. Hope you are well, I can’t imagine just how busy you are!!"
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