A service for young people with autism, their carers, families and the wider community.
About express
We are two local parents of children diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum, based in the borough of Kingston upon Thames. We set up express CIC to help support young people on the autism spectrum and to raise autism awareness in the community. A CIC is a community interest company which means that we operate as a 'not for profit' company. At express we envisage a social environment where young people on the autism spectrum and their families feel welcomed and secure within the local community. Where young people would be able to gain valuable social skills and work experience opportunities. We aim to provide a service that will be used, supported and enjoyed by the community as a whole.
We see express as...
- a community cafe/hub in the heart of the community with an autism friendly environment to include quiet areas and sensory areas with all facilities being fully accessible
- raising autism awareness and providing a place for social interaction
- providing a drop in advice service and support for families to strengthen their support network
- providing volunteer opportunities
- a real work environment to provide transferable work skills for young autistic people (current statistics show only 15% of adults on the Autism spectrum are employed - National Autistic Society)
- offering work opportunities for carers who would otherwise be unable to find suitable flexible working conditions
- a place to promote self-esteem amongst young people on the autistic spectrum and to give them a sense of value within their community
- a positive experience for families coping with autism in their own community
- an opportunity for young people on the Autism spectrum to express themselves through art and social media
- a function area to facilitate meetings, speeches, training and information services
Young people with autism
At express we are saddened by the statistic that only 15% of young people with autism are currently employed. This has got to change.
The autism spectrum is wide and each young person with autism is unique with their own challenges and abilities. Whilst those challenges can be greater for some, at express we want to ensure that those abilities are nurtured. The variety of skills and talent within the autism community should not go unrecognised. At express we hope to provide the opportunity for young people to explore and develop their potential.
We want to set up a work experience scheme whereby young people with autism will gain essential life, social and work skills in a real working commercial environment .
We would like to see our young people go into the workforce with real experience. There is no reason this should not happen and with the right environment our community can make a difference.
This is one of our key objectives in setting up express.
The autism spectrum is wide and each young person with autism is unique with their own challenges and abilities. Whilst those challenges can be greater for some, at express we want to ensure that those abilities are nurtured. The variety of skills and talent within the autism community should not go unrecognised. At express we hope to provide the opportunity for young people to explore and develop their potential.
We want to set up a work experience scheme whereby young people with autism will gain essential life, social and work skills in a real working commercial environment .
We would like to see our young people go into the workforce with real experience. There is no reason this should not happen and with the right environment our community can make a difference.
This is one of our key objectives in setting up express.
Carers
We want to make it possible for carers to return to a working environment where we understand the pressures of caring for a child or young person with autism. We want to be as flexible as possible to ensure that we provide opportunities for carers who may only be able to commit to a few hours a week.
The difference this can make to self-esteem and mental well being is enormous and should not be underestimated.
This is one of our key objectives in setting up express.
The difference this can make to self-esteem and mental well being is enormous and should not be underestimated.
This is one of our key objectives in setting up express.
Families
At express we have heard many accounts of how isolating a diagnosis of autism in the family can be. Many families can be reluctant to face social environments where it is simply too much for their child or young person with autism and sensory overload ensues.
We want express to be open to all. We want to provide a place of security, a welcoming environment and a place to relax for all the family. We recognise that siblings can also need support and we would like to provide a place where they can meet other siblings and socialise.
We ultimately would like express to include a sensory room, sensory garden, hi-tech area and an 'expressions' area to exhibit art, music, poetry all from our rich and talented autism community.
This is one of our key objectives in setting up express.
We want express to be open to all. We want to provide a place of security, a welcoming environment and a place to relax for all the family. We recognise that siblings can also need support and we would like to provide a place where they can meet other siblings and socialise.
We ultimately would like express to include a sensory room, sensory garden, hi-tech area and an 'expressions' area to exhibit art, music, poetry all from our rich and talented autism community.
This is one of our key objectives in setting up express.
Community
At express we want the community to come together to appreciate and support all that young people with autism can offer. We have high expectations as we believe this is key to achieving.
We believe express will be an asset to our community to be enjoyed by all. Please get behind express as this is our opportunity to provide a community space where lots of activities and groups can come together. Our community is diverse lets appreciate and celebrate it!
This is one of our key objectives in setting up express.
We believe express will be an asset to our community to be enjoyed by all. Please get behind express as this is our opportunity to provide a community space where lots of activities and groups can come together. Our community is diverse lets appreciate and celebrate it!
This is one of our key objectives in setting up express.
A little bit about us...
Annette
My background is in finance and I am ACCA qualified. My last role being as a Financial Controller with responsibility for budgeting, reporting to board and managing staff. I was also a member nominated trustee of the company pension fund.
My eldest son was born in 2002 and my youngest son in 2004. My youngest son was diagnosed with 'severe' autism at 17 months old and in 2013 with ADHD. I have through my own experiences and through meeting other families gained extensive knowledge of the challenges faced and the requirements of families living with autism. I am aware of the increasing need for more services locally and within the community environment to provide families with a more positive experience and to alleviate the isolation felt by their carers.
Tracey
My background is in insurance (both public and private sector) and I am CII qualified. However, my real passion is the work I do with autistic children running a social skills group and I would like to extend these services.
My son was born in 2002 and my daughter in 2004. My son was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism when he was 8 after a long and difficult process. I am also the sibling of a profoundly autistic brother and I am fully aware of the impact this has on family life. I believe that we need more services locally and within the community environment to provide families with a more positive experience and strengthen support networks.
We both passionately believe in focussing on the positives and the 'can do' whilst respecting that each individual is unique.
Help us make express a success!
My background is in finance and I am ACCA qualified. My last role being as a Financial Controller with responsibility for budgeting, reporting to board and managing staff. I was also a member nominated trustee of the company pension fund.
My eldest son was born in 2002 and my youngest son in 2004. My youngest son was diagnosed with 'severe' autism at 17 months old and in 2013 with ADHD. I have through my own experiences and through meeting other families gained extensive knowledge of the challenges faced and the requirements of families living with autism. I am aware of the increasing need for more services locally and within the community environment to provide families with a more positive experience and to alleviate the isolation felt by their carers.
Tracey
My background is in insurance (both public and private sector) and I am CII qualified. However, my real passion is the work I do with autistic children running a social skills group and I would like to extend these services.
My son was born in 2002 and my daughter in 2004. My son was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism when he was 8 after a long and difficult process. I am also the sibling of a profoundly autistic brother and I am fully aware of the impact this has on family life. I believe that we need more services locally and within the community environment to provide families with a more positive experience and strengthen support networks.
We both passionately believe in focussing on the positives and the 'can do' whilst respecting that each individual is unique.
Help us make express a success!