During a presentation later this year, volunteers from the branch will receive The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) crystal and a certificate from the King’s personal representative, Dr Caroline Pryer, the Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland. Two volunteers will also attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in Spring next year along with other award winners.
 

The North Northumberland branch

Our charity’s North Northumberland branch is one 115 volunteer-led branches across the UK.

It was established in 2016 by a group of local parents who felt there was very little pre-and-post diagnostic support for parents and carers of autistic people and their families in Northumberland.

The branch is run by an experienced committee who share responsibilities, and provide experience during various activities offered to its 500 members, including:

• monthly support groups with professional speakers,  
• monthly craft groups,  
• girls, women and autism zoom sessions and workshops on a variety of topics, 
• ‘understanding autism’ training to families,  
• autism friendly forest schools.
   

The Duke of Edinburgh Award programme

The North Northumberland branch is piloting our charity’s Duke of Edinburgh award (DofE) programme, designed specifically for autistic people. 

Many autistic people, especially those in specialist schools or services, miss out on the chance to get involved in DofE. Our pilot programme makes it more accessible, by offering an inclusive and supportive environment that is tailored to the individual needs of the young people taking part.

Five autistic girls from the local area have already completed their Bronze and Silver DofE and are now embarking on their Gold award. Earlier this year they met The Duke of Edinburgh at Fox Barracks in Northumberland and spoke to His Royal Highness about their expeditions and shared photos, and crafts they had made for their Silver Award.