Aug 21, 2023, B Daily News: New cash boost for autism services in Birmingham and Solihull https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2023/08/21/new-cash-boost-for-autism-services-in-birmingham-and-solihull
Midlands
Hundreds of people are to benefit from a huge boost to autism services in Birmingham and Solihull thanks to a charity’s £30,000 [$38,000] cash injection. Autism West Midlands has secured a grant from education and training charity Landau, which runs a dedicated project supporting autistic people and their families, and those awaiting diagnosis, in the area.
The boost was in the latest round of grants announced by Landau as part of its All Age Autism Support Service (AAASS), which has awarded more than £690,000 [$880,000] to 28 organisations and charities, supporting more than supporting 2,600 people. Landau chief executive Sonia Roberts said:
“I’m delighted that the AAASS has been able to make these grants to help third sector groups in the region to do even more to help autistic people.
“We want to make people aware that there is advice and support out there – whether you have been diagnosed or are still awaiting diagnosis, we operate a service directory providing a single point of access to the support services available in Birmingham and Solihull at www.aaadirectory.co.uk
“There are more than 16,000 in the region who have a diagnosis of autism, and many more still going through the diagnosis process.
“Latest figures from NHS Digital show that more than 4,000 people suspected of having autism were waiting for an assessment after being referred by specialists in the Birmingham and Solihull area at the end of 2022. …
Autism West Midlands plans to use the £29,903 it has received from AAASS for a telephone helpline which it says will support more than 700 people. Henry Webster, operations manager at Autism West Midlands, said:
“We are delighted to have been successful in our grant application to be able to deliver helpline support to people across Birmingham & Solihull.
“We have autism specialist advisors available who can focus on providing information, advice and guidance for autistic adults and parent/carers of autistic children.
The funding has enabled us to employ advisors who will be able to specifically focus on helping people from Birmingham and Solihull and we will be able to ensure people will be signposted to services via the All-Age Autism Service Directory.
“We expect to receive more than 700 callers before March next year.” The helpline can be reached on 0121 450 7575 from 8am – 8pm, Monday to Friday or by emailing
info@autismwestmidlands.org.uk Also receiving a grant was the Seven Up – A Chance to Play project, which was awarded £19,235 [$24,000] to provide after-school play sessions for primary aged autistic children at Hamilton Special School. …
