Support offer for families living with autism

Families living with autism in County Durham and Teesside are being offered free residential breaks.

Daisy Chain–a Tees side based charity, which supports autistic children, young people and adults – has received funding from BBC Children in Need to offer two-night trips which have been specifically designed for autistic children and young people to a range of activity centres including Centre Parcs.

Participants will take part in a variety of different activities, including swimming, cycling and outdoor challenges, supported by Daisy Chain’s highly trained staff and aims to provide an opportunity to develop friendships and learn essential life skills such as independence, budgeting and cooking.

The offer is available to families in Tees Valley and County Durham.

Jennifer Hewitt, head of children and family services at Daisy Chain, said: “We want to thank Children in Need for making this opportunity possibly for our families. We are very excited as it is the first time we have been able to plan a programme like this and for it be fully funded, so there is no cost barrier for families.

“Autistic children and adults, and their families, have been adversely affected by the pandemic, and being able to offer respite such as this will give them the opportunity to experience the sort of activities others take for granted whilst their parents relax or spend time with other children safe in the knowledge their child is in safe hands.”

The funding is also enabling the charity to run a programme of summer trips and activities, bookings for which can be made through their website at https://www.daisychainproject.co.uk/Pages/Events/Category/holiday-activities