Bank branch shows it’s autism friendly
AWIDNES bank branch is now autism friendly following a training session carried out by a social enterprise.
Staff from NatWest on Widnes Road took part in a workshop run by Autism Adventures as part of the bank’s commitment to supporting customers from all walks of life.
Autism Adventures is a social enterprise which aims to educate businesses to help them offer a better service to those with autism and their families.
Julie Simpson, founder and director of Autism Adventures, started the social enterprise in May 2015 after campaigning to raise awareness of the condition as her son Joe, 13, has autism.
She has trained 10 people from seven of the bank’s branches – including Widnes – on how to accommodate people who suffer from autism or similar conditions.
The training included advice on how to support customers should they or a child have a ‘melt-down’ while visiting a branch, how to spot different coping mechanisms individuals have such as putting hands over ears or repeating questions, and using appropriate body language when dealing with customers who have autism.
Julie said: “Autism has no visual traits so a child may just act up out of nowhere due to any number of circumstances.
“When you are a parent and this happens, it can be incredibly challenging so knowing you are in a shop or business with staff that have undergone training is incredibly helpful.
“It’s wonderful that staff from NatWest have undergone the training as part of the bank’s commitment so supporting all customers in the best way possible.
“Autism is a condition that affects people in so many different ways and it’s important to treat each person with the condition as an individual.
“Hopefully they will share their knowledge with colleagues and we can educate even more people about the best way to support people with autism.”
As part of her work she has provided staff at Liverpool One, Everton Football Club, Mersey Travel and other organisations with training around awareness and how they can support customers with the condition.
NatWest is the first bank to receive this accreditation and staff at other branches in Merseyside and Lancashire are to undergo the training in coming months.
Graham Hoare, chief executive officer at NatWest Branch Banking Liverpool, attended the session and said: “The session led by Julie was incredibly informative and gave our staff some easy things they can implement into their branches to support customers effected by autism.
“As a bank we are committed to supporting all of customers in the best way possible, and making our branches ‘autism friendly’ delivers on this commitment.”