2020 - what a difficult year! At NAS Stafford we were devastated to have to cancel our usual face-to-face clubs and activities just before the first lockdown in March.

We know what an important role NAS Stafford can play in the lives of local families affected by autism; young people who attend our Stay and Play, Soft Play, Youth and Social clubs have somewhere to let off steam, make friends and try new things, whilst their parents and carers can have a chat, exchange ideas and information, maybe feel more connected.

We wondered what we could do to try to continue our support. So in late spring we began to host Parent and Carer support groups via the Zoom platform, and found that they worked really well. In the summer we began to distribute our first lot of activity packs, and then we were lucky enough to get the Tesco Covid grant to enable us to do a second lot of outreach to a wider population.

But Christmas?

What could we do for the festive season? Normally we would have a Christmas Fair to raise funds, a Christmas Party, with pizza and a magician, and receive panto tickets to distribute.

The committee would have a very civilised(!) meal together and we would do some fundraising and awareness-raising at local Christmas events.

This year, all of that was on hold. Bah, Humbug!

But hang on - the ghost of Christmas NAS arrived and told us that we could do better! So we decided to deliver a third lot of Christmas themed, tinkly, twinkly activity packs, in time for our first NAS Stafford online Christmas party!

This was also done via Zoom, and although there were a few technical issues (I think the ghost of Christmas past was technology avoidant...) eventually we all came together, and had a blast! We did crafts together, had a Christmas Quiz, the delightful Megan led us as we belted out Christmas songs and Carols - even Batman and Spiderman joined us to promise to keep us all safe this Christmas!

We had advertised a free prize draw with the suggestion that donations were made to our JustGiving page, and at the Christmas party we drew the winners. Four very happy people became the recipients of Avon goodies, Chocolate goodies and one rather enormous cuddly dog! Our prize draw raised £62 - thank you to everyone who donated and took part and congratulations to the lucky winners!

More than anything, it was a joy to see familiar faces, to hear children’s voices shouting hellos to their friends, and for others to message each other about their favourite things. 

Parents and Carers waved to each other and signalled through their smiles that yes, it had been a challenge, but we were all still here.

So we go into the new year perhaps a little wary of what 2021 may bring, but in the knowledge that NAS Stafford is a true community - the committee will always try to provide opportunities to bring people together and support the Stafford ASC community whatever the situation, but our families are the beating heart of who we are. 

We miss you all and we hope that sooner rather than later, in 2021, we will be able to see you all again, at our clubs, our trips, our parties and activities.