Today, we’re sharing two incredible milestones for AutismAble SEND support at our Youth Hub:

Firstly, we’re proud to announce that AutismAble CIC has been awarded a £180,232 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to launch Building Futures – an exciting two-year project that will empower over 200 young people with SEND with the confidence, life skills and friendships they need to prepare for adulthood.

And that’s not all. This brilliant news arrived just weeks after AutismAble’s Youth Hub was rated ‘Excellent’ by the National Youth Agency (NYA) in our recent Youth Work Standard assessment!

Building Futures: Life Skills, Confidence and Community

Running until March 2027, Building Futures is designed for young people aged 14-25 with SEND, and is all about building real-word confidence in three main ways:

1. Future Bites: Young people gain hands-on work experience at our friendly Sea Change Training Cafe, developing skills in everything from customer service and managing money to barista training and food hygiene.
2. Future Skills: Life skills are taught in creative, engaging ways, where young people become content creators – filming and editing Reels and TikToks to share helpful advice on everything from budgeting to self-care.
3. Future Connect: Because friendships matter, too! From social clubs and movie nights to our ever popular Geek Cafe, we’re creating safe, inclusive spaces where young people can connect, belong and most importantly, have lots of fun!

Delivered in partnership with Sea Change Café, the project is part of our wider mission to enable, empower and enrich lives.

Sarah Windle, Youth and Outreach Provision Team Leader, said: “We are overjoyed to have received this amazing support from the National Lottery Community Fund. The Building Futures project is a great opportunity for AutismAble to empower even more amazing young people with SEND. The project aims to equip young people through a variety of practical, social and learning activities with a whole host of transferable skills that they can use as they move onto the next stage of their lives.”

Linda Yeo, Funding Officer for The National Lottery Community Fund, added: “It’s thanks to National Lottery players that we are able to support projects like AutismAble and the excellent work they do supporting people with autism.”

Recognised for Excellence by the NYA

Shortly before receiving this funding, AutismAble’s Youth Hub was proudly rated ‘Excellent’ by the National Youth Agency as part of their national Youth Standards assessment.

As well as recognising our inclusive approach and passionate team, the report included some lovely feedback from a young assessor on the NYA board:

“Even though we weren’t there in person we really feel like we know the centre thanks to your amazing descriptions. Your social club is a great asset to your community that you should all be very proud of. We’re sure you all welcome everyone with open arms and give them the same fantastic opportunities you were given by your youth workers.”

Looking ahead

With Building Futures now underway and the national recognition behind us, we’re excited for what’s next – and for the opportunity to keep welcoming more young people to join the project!

This summer, we’re also running a fantastic Youth Hub Summer Programme packed with free activities, trips, creative workshops and social opportunities for young people with SEND aged 14-25. Lunch is included, and there’s something for absolutely everyone to enjoy!

If you or your young person would like to be part of Building Futures or the Summer Programme, or just want to find out more, email sarah.windle@autismable.com.