Autism Networks is a charity which was set up by a group of parents and volunteers who had experienced the challenges and frustrations of finding somewhere to take their children so they could participate in the wider community. The group identified the need for a place to go where the children could benefit from taking parts in activities whilst being in a relaxing and understanding environment.

In 2006 the group identified a vacant building which became the Autism Networks Resource Centre. The center is situated in the town center of Crewe, Cheshire close to the library, Lifestyle Centre and police station. The Centre consists of a lounge, large play area, art room, kitchen, sensory room, ball pool and two large halls.

Autism Networks (A.N) provide safe social space, information and help for people with Autism, their families and carers, giving them the opportunity to find friends and support and to raise awareness amongst our local community.

We also help our service users to develop social skills, increase their self-confidence and lower their sense of isolation. The charity achieves these outcomes by running several sessions every week on Monday, Thursday and Friday evenings 18:00 to 21:00. Daytime sessions Tuesday 10:00 to 12:30 and Thursday 16:00 to 17:30.

All activities are open to all ages, all disabilities and all family members. All children and vulnerable adults must come with support. During these sessions we run craft activities, have a disco and general games. It is through these sessions that the children and adults start to develop some of the skills which their mainstream peers take for granted.

In recent years the Centre has received funding from a range of sources including the YAP Foundation, The Morgan Foundation, COOP, National Lottory, Cheshire East Council to name a few. This funding has allowed us to carry out a number of improvements to the Centre including the installation of a Multi- Sensory room. We identified the need for this room through a consultation with our members, stakeholders and the wider community. This is a much-needed resource and a first in our the geographical area. In the past members have travelled as far as Preston to use such a service. The sensory room is equipped with light, auditory, aromatherapy and tactile sensory equipment and is suitable for children and adults with special needs where they can explore and develop their senses and skills.

Future projects are to create a safer garden area so that service users will learn to maintain a garden space. We also have plans to install a kitchen area and coffee lounge where we can open to the general public and teach new skills in that enviroment. We are always looking for new ideas and there are many that come to mind but your support is always needed to make these visions a reallity.

The interactive bubble tubes and fiber optic lights enables individuals to understand the concept of cause and effect whereby they can change the colour of the whole room by pushing large buttons relating to the colour of their choice.

The people we provide activities for fall into two categories. The first are children and young people that do not have an apparent disability. These individuals try hard to make friends and socialise with others but do not have the skills required to do so. This sometimes leads to them becoming anxious or even as far as becoming depressed.

Others display obsessive, repetitive and ritualistic behaviors. They may be non-verbal which leads to lack of communication and can also lead to misunderstandings and anxiety/ challenging behaviors.

Both groups identified above do not fit in to mainstream leisure activities. Parents usual feeling they cannot settle when supervising their children; they feel that they are judged as unfit parents. This leads to isolation at home and from the community at large.

The Centre is able to offer a safe haven and an understanding place for these families to attend, it prevents families becoming socially isolated and offers the children and young people on the spectrum the opportunity to develop life skills and take part in activities which might not otherwise be accessible.