Truro, Cornwall – the Cornwall Autism Training Project was launched in 2009, and is being celebrated at a special lunch hosted by Cornwall Council at New County Hall in Truro on Tuesday, April 22.
The project, funded by Cornwall Council, was spearheaded by the National Autistic Society and worked in collaboration with Cornwall Autism Partnership.
The scheme has trained more than 3,000 professionals on how to better support individuals with autism.
Vicki Stone, Cornwall Council’s learning and development support co-ordinator said:
“Since 2010, 20 people with autism, parents and carers have completed an accredited training course, enabling them to present and co-deliver the training workshops. They are also involved in the development of workshops, and the running of the project. We are holding this event to highlight their achievements,”
The project, delivered by NAS trainers, Susan Kimber and Lucy Skye, provides free autism training on topics such as health.
Tracey Mears, chairman of the West Cornwall National Autistic Society, said:
“The feedback we had from those attending the training has been extremely positive. Hearing someone describe their firsthand experiences of living with autism and telling their own story makes it very real. The adults with autism have been brilliant, they tell it like it is.”
Cornwall Autism Partnership aims to develop better support for people with autism in Cornwall.
Meetings take place quarterly and are attended by representatives from health, adult care, health and wellbeing and organisations working with autism in Cornwall.
For more information email Lucy Skye, South West area development officer lucy.skye@nas.org.uk or call 01837 82492.
The article in the West Briton can be read here