The drugs initiative group Forfar (the pit stop) opened in 1996, the aim was to divert young people away from alcohol, drugs and other substance Miss-use. Over the past 20 years the organisation has developed and now offers wider provision to the community. Recently we have been consulting with Autism Support Angus and Dundee on a new collaborative idea.

Nowadays we all know families affected by autism and see how this condition impacts every aspect of life at home, school and in the community. Autistic children can struggle in social situations and with developing peer relationships alongside sensory difficulties with noise, light,, smell and crowded places.

We as an organisation are fully aware of the scant provisions for social and leisure opportunities which meet the needs of autistic children locally. Which is why The Pitstop are now looking to offer a permanent venue for a weekly drop-in sensory room and play session for young people on the autistic spectrum.

Pitstop hope to provide small group sessions with a basement level soft floored sensory room with subdued lighting and quiet space pods, while on the upper floor, the usual activities you might expect within a social environment including craft sessions, pool, gaming and other play opportunities. This will allow children with adult guidance to have fun and develop friendships in a supportive, controlled, structured environment adapted to their sensory needs.

We are currently in the middle of developing our sensory room and looking for funds to enable us to equip the room with specialist sensory toys lights and equipment for the children and young people to utilise.

We are working hard to identify fundraising opportunities ourselves by approaching local organisations, businesses and charitable trusts to support us to get us up and running as quickly as possible.

Any donation through just giving would be wholeheartedly appreciated, and mean so much to the children.

Thank you