Support group can build on its success thanks to cops’ boost
Lego therapy organiser delighted with cheque
Big-hearted cops showed their support for a Paisley autism charity at a special coffee and cake morning.
Officers and police staff gathered for an event to promote wellbeing within the force with donations from the tasty treats on offer going to the Lego and Friendship Group.
The group was set up by serving police officer, trainee Detective Constable Susan Thomson, from Paisley, to help support children with autism through lego play.
Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Gordon Crossan handed over a cheque of £ 200 to support the event this week.
Susan set the group up last year after her son was diagnosed with autism and she found there was a lack of local support services available.
After undertaking special therapy training, she set up the Lego and Friendship Group, which she says can have huge beneficial effects for kids with autism.
She said: “It improves fine motor skills, problem solving, social communication and it’s also a place where the parents can come and be supported and know that no-one is doing what we call ‘judgy -face’ if their child is having a bad day.”
The free Linwood-based club is run entirely by volunteers and supported by the Renfrewshire branch of the National Autistic Society and has 14 primary- aged children who attend regularly.
And more fundraising activities are planned for the rest of the year, as Susan looks to expand the reach of the club, and plan trips for the children and expand the range of activities on offer.
Inspector Cassie Glass, who organised the wellbeing event, hopes the contribution will make a difference.
She said: “During the event donations were made to a local charity which was chosen from a number of groups nominated from the day – the Lego and Friendship Group, which is based in Linwood.
“A total of £200.77 was raised and we are delighted that we will help Susan carry on the fantastic work she has been doing with our contribution.”
A range of police support groups visited Mill Street on the day, including the Police Dependant’s Trust, Police Scotland’s Human Resources Team, the Scottish Police Credit Union, the Health and Wellbeing Team, the Scottish Police Recreational Association, the Police Treatment Centres and The Police Mutual Association, who were all on hand to offer information to those working across the Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Division.