New club aims to build friendships
Help for autistic kids
A new club for children with autism will be piloted over the summer holidays.
Signpost will host the events and staff are appealing for the public to donate any pre-loved building bricks they no longer need to the club.
Project manager, Lesley Mount, said: “Although we have a budget to buy some building bricks, we’ve found out that we’re going to need a lot of them to give the children the best experience possible, so we hope that people will kindly donate any they’re not using to give the children a wider variety of pieces to play with. We don’t need whole kits, or special pieces, though they would be good, too, just whatever bits and pieces you have. Mini-figures would be especially welcome.”
Kidzeco in Livingston and Bathgate, and Toys R Us in Livingston, have kindly agreed to act as collection points for donations.
From tomorrow (Friday, May 26) to the end of June, staff at these stores will accept donated Lego on Signpost’s behalf. Donations can also be handed in to Signpost’s office at Beatlie School Campus, Craigshill.
Staff at other local companies, including Lloyds Banking Group and Sainsbury’s Livingston are getting together to contribute and Signpost is happy to collect from any other company whose staff may also wish to donate to the club.
The pilot scheme, which was chosen by public vote, is funded through West Lothian Council’s Community Choices ‘Let’s Get it Right for Autism’ programme. It will run through July and August, and it is hoped that the children who attend, who often find it difficult to make new friends, will enjoy meeting.
If the club is successful, Signpost hopes to raise funds to continue after the summer holiday scheme is over. For details, contact 01506 431123 or email enquiries@ signpost-online.co.uk.