AUTISM CHAMPIONS
What is an Autism Champion?
Officially launched in 2016, the Autism Champions Scheme was brought in to encourage organisations and public facilities to become more autism aware and provide autism friendly services to enhance the lives of autistic people and their families.
How can I access training?
Every year Telford Adult's Autism Hub host Autism Champion training. This is available to any professional organisation within the borough of Telford & Wrekin.
Due to the popularity of this we ask for no more than 3 candidates per organisation.
The training involves 2 half day training sessions, and then continuous access to the hub for advice, support and guidance in any autism related issues.
Please express your interest by emailing us: admin@telfordautismhub.org.uk
Some of our fully trained Autism Champions
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Telford Adult's Autism Hub are proud to be working closely with the Telford Shopping Centre on creating a wonderful sensory garden.
The rooftop garden is a quiet space with a wide range of sensory experiences.
Individuals can immerse themselves in scents, textures and colours and lots of other related elements within the garden.
Many people with ASD have difficulties in processing everyday sensory information so the garden will be a lovely area to escape to if the shopping centre becomes too stressful.
The attendees of Telford Adult's Autism Hub have all worked together on deciding what to name the garden and after generating lots of different names and long deliberation “The Retreat” was voted for as the favourite. “The Retreat” is open to all with a focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The aim of “The Retreat” is to increase awareness of Autism and provide general information whilst welcoming anyone who needs to escape the busy shopping centre.
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Telford Shopping Centre are making many autism friendly changes throughout the centre.
Several members of staff have attended our Autism Champion Training.
The training has helped staff members increase their understanding and awareness of autism and will be they will be the first point of contact within the centre if anyone needs help, support or signposting to other organisations that can help.
The Autism Champions can be identified by their autism champion badge (look out for the jigsaw logo as shown in the image below).
Our work with Telford Shopping Centre Autism Champions
Watch the video clip below for a virtual tour of 'The Retreat' at Telford shopping centre
Telford Autism Hub and Telford Shopping Centre will continue to work closely together to continue to look at ways to make changes within the centre.
Their aim is to create one of the most ‘autism friendly’ shopping centres in the region.