The world is a very different place to when the charity was established nearly 45 years ago (Harold Wilson was PM and the Beatles were no.1!), and, while autism remains at the very centre of what we do, we want to be a more inclusive organisation that responds to people’s needs rather than, necessarily, their particular diagnosis.

As our new name suggests, our charitable vision remains focused on people with autism and this will continue to steer the work of our advocacy and advice services. Our core values haven’t changed and continue to underpin everything we do:

• Relationships of integrity and respect• Personal development, empowerment and quality of life• High quality, professional and personalised services• Equal opportunity and diversity• Value for money

Autism Wessex provides three main areas of activity; Portfield School for education services; Community Wessex for social care services; and a range of Advocacy and Advice services.

A great benefit of rebranding is that it allows us to remind ourselves and other people just how good we are and what we stand for. With local and regional media support this change allows us to use it as a platform to remind people who need us who we are, what we do and how well we do it.

We look forward to bringing you more news via our regular newsletters, e-shots and e-news. Email newsletter@autismwessex.org.uk if you would like to be kept up to date with the charity’s news. You can also visit our brand new website, www.autismwessex.org.uk, which has undergone a complete transformation to make it even more informative! Follow us on Twitter @autismwessex or Facebook at www.facebook.com/autismwessex.

R W Lowndes, CEO

Welcome to the first edition of our newsletter following our re-naming from The Wessex Autistic Society to Autism Wessex and a broadening of our charitable objects to enable our services to be accessible to people who do not have autism.

Spring 2013

Why not keep the name as it is? Surely people will get confused?

The first and primary reason is to make the charity’s presentation more modern and to more effectively communicate in a ‘current’ manner. The second reason is related to the use of language. We do not talk about ‘autistic people’ but ‘people with autism’. Further, we do not think that the charity is an ‘autistic society’ – the charity is not autistic – and believe that the proposed new name is more appropriate and acceptable in these respects. We will be working very hard with regional media to promote Autism Wessex and ensure this rebrand is used as a platform to raise awareness, both of autism and our services.

Are your services exclusively for people affected by autism?

At the heart of this change is a belief that we should make our contracted services available to anyone with a developmental disorder, learning disability and/or associated mental health problem who could benefit from that service. Our FREE advocacy services will remain exclusively for people affected by autism.

If there is anything you would like to know about our rebrand and which we have not included here, you are welcome to get in touch via newsletter@autismwessex.org.uk.

Our rebranding project began nearly 12 months ago and has culminated in our new identity. Every communications touch point, online and offline, has been rebranded including; vehicle livery, signage, literature, website, stationery, uniforms and more.

We have also been very busy creating a video about the charity’s services. It’s deliberately short and sweet but speaks volumes about the work we do. It can be viewed on our website.

We thought you might have questions about our rebrand and why we have made certain changes, so we have included some frequently asked questions which should help answer some of your queries.

The big charity rebrand

Spring 2013Autism Wessex

Community Wessex is the new name for our social care services which we provide to people with autism and other developmental disorders, learning disabilities and associated mental health problems.

We have a number of residential care homes across the region and our Community Support Service supports people across Dorset, Somerset and Hampshire. We are constantly expanding our service offering and are delighted to announce the acquisition of a new home for young adults in Hampshire. We have exciting plans to build on this positive growth and extend the service into new areas. We plan to open an office in Southampton and will keep you updated with news on the project as developments unfold.

Five Year Funding AwardedWe have recently been celebrating the award of a Big Lottery Grant of £241,437. This part-funds our information, advice and support service over the next five years, benefitting around 4,000 families locally. We will still be able to offer our support to anyone affected by autism who needs us, regardless of where they are.

Karen Wilmshurst, Advocacy Services Manager comments; “This grant will enable us to continue to support the autism community – advising, supporting and advocating for families affected by autism, and individuals with autism, in a personalised manner. We are all understandably delighted with this grant and securing this vital service for the local community.”

Parents and CarersWe offer a free regular training programme for parents and carers of a child with autism. We support a number of parent/carers support groups. We also offer a free quarterly parent newsletter via our advocacy team giving details of local services, events, equipment, hints and tips, changes to legislation and much more.

Adult Drop-In GroupsWe hold drop-in groups for adults with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism. We currently have groups in Bournemouth (daytime), Dorchester (daytime) and Yeovil (both daytime and evenings). Subscribe to our free quarterly drop-in newsletter or contact us for more information on 01305 213136 or advice@autismwessex.org.uk.

Advice & AdvocacyWe continue to offer free impartial advice on any autism-related issue to help people with autism, professionals and families develop knowledge, access services and plan for the future.

New ProspectusThe school’s communications have been given a complete overhaul and we are really proud of our new prospectus which gives a great insight into the specialist education the school has to offer. You can browse or download the prospectus on our website, visit www.portfieldschool.org.uk.

Parent Open DaysWe will be hosting two Parent Open Days a year in an effort to showcase the school, its superior buildings and exceptional staff. The first of these will take place on 27th Feb 2013, and we urge any parents interested in the school to call and book their place. Numbers are limited. Please call the school on 01202 573808 or email enquiries@portfieldschool.org.uk.

Respite Care at Wessex LodgeAs part of our school offering we continue to provide respite care through Wessex Lodge. We are open all year round, and provide both short term and longer breaks. For more information visit our website, call 01202 331556 or email wessexlodge@portfieldschool.org.uk.

Portfield School

Community Wessex

Spring 2013Autism Wessex

Our rebrand is an opportunity to highlight the excellence of all our staff at Autism Wessex and their leading roles in providing exceptional care and support services to all our service users.

In our first newsletter we are celebrating the career of longstanding staff member Mandy Gibson, Adult Residential Manager at Barnes Lane, Beaminster and Middlepath in Crewkerne. Please read Mandy’s story and experience the calibre of our exceptional staff.

Mandy Gibson joined the charity 23 years ago in 1989! Mandy always strived for a career in social care wanting her work to make a difference to the lives of others. In that time, Mandy has formed lifelong bonds with some of our service users who have been with us from her first day.

Mandy comments; “I have seen so much change in the charity over the past 23 years! I am very proud to work for Autism Wessex supporting 10 service users and managing 26 staff. As a charity we are very focused on the individual and their specific and unique needs. Our approach is to work alongside people to give them the power to make their own decisions and steer the course of their own lives. In the time I have been with the charity I have seen this philosophy work in action, positively transforming many of the lives we touch.”

Mandy recognises that although the size of the charity has grown immensely, the values and culture celebrated across the organisation have remained the same. Our vision is of a world where people with autism are active citizens enjoying maximum independence and a good quality of life.

Bob Lowndes, CEO comments; “Mandy has been a highly valued member of the team for 23 years. She has shown unwavering commitment to the many people with autism she has supported in that time and is a great team leader. Another 23 years Mandy?”

Staff case study

We have taken this opportunity to refresh our events and have added lots of new and exciting activities to encourage as many participants as possible to raise funds for the charity. We will be hosting events across the East and West of the region and are always looking for volunteers.

No matter where you live in the region we are sure to be holding an event near you. If you would like to give your time please contact fundraising@autismwessex.org.uk. We will be hosting music events, a gala ball, teddy bear picnics, golf days and of course our running events, although even these are having a make-over! Make yourselves familiar with the 2013 event schedule on our new website, visit www.autismwessex.org.uk.

A new year, a new fundraising calendar

Spring 2013Autism Wessex

Autism Wessex Bargates Court, 22 Bargates Christchurch BH23 1QL

T 01202 483360 E enquiries@autismwessex.org.uk W www.autismwessex.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1000792