Autism funding for rural areas
Perth Autism Support’s staff are “overjoyed”to have secured major funding enabling the organisation to spread services across the county so under 18s with autism get a good deal, wherever they live.
Rural Perth and Kinross LEADER funding to the tune of £142,312 will see the development of the Perth charity’s outreach services, so Blairgowrie, Crieff and Highland Perthshire families have access to PAS activities in their rural area, matching those available in Perth city.
While services exist outside Perth already, more resources are to be added to the family support, school liaison and young adult services.
The grant will support outreach by PAS until summer 2020 and has been match funded by a number of local funders, including SSE Griffin and Calliachar Fund and Drumderg Fund.
Angie Ferguson, CEO for Perth Autism Support, said: “The challenges of the geography of young people in rural areas and their families having access to the full range of supports we provide at Perth Autism Support has been a barrier to the help, support and skills development opportunities that are available through our organisation.”
The funding allows for a new post of community development manager to be created. From left, Perth Autism Support’s Clare Taylor, Danny Owens, Anna Gordillo Ramos, outreach co-ordinator, and Lynsey Paterson