Charity hails £1k grant for new kitchen

A WEST Midlands charity that works with people living with autism is planning to cook up a storm after receiving a cash boost towards a new kitchen, thanks to the backing of a leading regional building society.

The West Brom presented a grant of £1,000 to Autism West Midlands to fund the new initiative, which is designed to give the charity’s members a sense of independent living.

Autism West Midlands assists people with autism either in their own home or in residential care, as well as providing family support, advice and help with seeking employment.

Donated through the Mercian Community Trust, a partnership between the West Brom and the Diocese of Lichfield, the funding will benefit 13 people living at the charity’s Marston Green home once the kitchen is built.

Fabrizio Donati, director of operations at Autism West Midlands, said: “It is fantastic to receive such a generous donation from the West Brom.

“Our service in Marston Green is well-established and has been around for almost 20 years.

“We always support people to develop independent living skills, so this new kitchen will really help us to do this.

“Cooking and meal preparation are such important skills and we know many of the people living in our service will enjoy using the new kitchen a great deal.”

It is estimated that one in 110 people live with autism – and it affects approximately 60,000 in the West Midlands.