Help Us Build Autism Centres for Adults Across London by Akintade’s 30th Birthday

Hi, I’m Folu, a mother, advocate, and founder of Autism Treatment Support Initiative (ATSI). This mission is deeply personal — and it begins with my son, Akintade. Akintade is going to be 29 on the 1st of July. I want to build centres around London to celebrate hos 30th birthday.

When Akintade finished school at the age of 22, we found ourselves in a heartbreaking situation: there was nowhere for him to go. No autism-specific adult services. No day centres that truly understood his needs.

So — we built him a centre.

Today, Akintade has a safe, structured place to go every morning. He starts his day in a familiar, autism-friendly space where he can choose what he wants to do:

Take part in activities in the community and come back to his base - Tade Autism Centre.

Learn life skills or relax in peace

Watch a film, play music, or simply just be himself

That one centre has changed his life. But it also showed us what’s missing — and what’s possible.

🌟 Our Mission: Build by 30

By Akintade’s 30th birthday, we want to launch multiple autism-centric adult centres across London. These spaces will be:

- Sensory-friendly

- Staffed by trained, neurodivergent-led teams

- Filled with choice, not pressure

- Centred on dignity, daily structure, and joy

No autistic adult should be left behind once school ends.

🙌 A Personal Note from Me

I thought about saying I was running a marathon for this fundraiser.I thought about hosting another big event.

But truthfully — I’m tired.

I’ve run many “marathons” already — — organised multiple events and campaigns over the years just to be seen, just to raise awareness, just to get support for this cause.

This time, I’m not organising a special event.

I’m asking from the heart.I’m trusting that people are still kind.That we are still in the business of supporting each other.That you’ll give — not because I’m running — but because this matters.

Why This Matters

In the UK, too many autistic young people “age out” of support systems. They’re left isolated, misunderstood, and without services that understand adulthood on the spectrum.

But I’ve seen what happens when you give someone a space that’s safe, structured, and respectful.

- We want to create that same opportunity for others — by Akintade’s 30th birthday.

- What Your Donation Support

We’re raising funds to:

- Secure and prepare buildings for our next centres

- Train staff in neuro-affirming practice

- Launch adult-focused programs in life skills, employment, leisure, and wellness

- Create a legacy of centres where autistic adults can live with choice, joy, and dignity

Whether you give £10 or £100, every donation helps build that future.

Thank you — from my heart — for standing with us.

Let’s build it. Let’s #BuildBy30.

Please don’t break the chain — if this message speaks to you, pass it on to your friends, family, and contacts.

— Folu Founder, Autism Treatment Support Initiative#AutismSupport #NeurodivergentVoices #ATSIForAutism