Autism awareness award a first in Wales for Sport and Leisure team

Caerphilly’s Sport and Leisure Service have become the first in Wales to be presented with the prestigious ‘Autism Aware’ Organisation Award for their work to support children and adults with autism in accessing sport and leisure activities.

Over recent weeks, over 125 officers from Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Sport and Leisure Service have undertaken autism awareness training, delivered by the National ASD Development Team within the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA).

As part of their training, the team are embedding the WLGA’s ‘Can You See Me?’ initiative into their work; a nationwide scheme which aims to recognise the needs of people with autism in communities across Wales.

The team were presented with their award by Bev Lane, Regional Autism Development Officer from the Welsh Local Government Association earlier this week (Wednesday 31st May), making them the first Sport and Leisure Service in Wales to receive the award.

Cllr Nigel George, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services said, “I’m very proud of our Sport and Leisure Service for their dedication to achieving this very commendable status. They are playing a key role in promoting understanding among our communities, in order to improve access to sport and leisure facilities, while helping to reduce the stigma that many individuals with autism and their parents and carers can experience”.

Steve Thomas CBE, WLGA Chief Executive said: “The Welsh Local Government Association is really proud to support Caerphilly achieving the “Autism Aware” Organisation Award for their work to support children and adults with autism in accessing sport and leisure activities. Being the first Sport and Leisure Service in Wales to achieve this award demonstrates their commitment to promoting understanding of autism at a local level.” 

Leisure Centres across Caerphilly county borough will now display ‘Can You See Me?’ awareness raising posters and ‘We’re Autism Aware’ window stickers, which will help make individuals, their parents and carers aware that they are in an environment where their needs will be met.

To find out more about Caerphilly’s Sport and Leisure Service, please visit www.caerphilly.gov.uk/leisurelifestyle and www.caerphilly.gov.uk/sportcaerphilly. For information on the WLGA’s ‘Can You See Me?’ campaign, please visit http://www.asdinfowales.co.uk/can-you-see-me