New 12-Week Project to Support Young People with SEND

AutismAble CIC is excited to announce that it has received a £180,232 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to launch Building Futures, a brand-new 12-week project designed to help young people aged 14-25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) gain confidence, independence, and essential life skills.

Empowering 200 Young People with Confidence and Life Skills

The project will run from April 2025 to March 2027, providing 200 young people with the opportunity to gain confidence, independence, and essential life skills. The grant will enable participants to develop practical skills, gain hands-on work experience, and engage in fun social activities in a safe and welcoming environment where they feel valued and included.

Building Futures will take place at AutismAble’s vibrant Youth Hub, a brand new space redeveloped by the Youth Investment Fund for young people to meet, game, learn, and create.

Project Highlights: Café Training, Life Skills Workshops, and Social Events

The project will offer:

Café Training:

• Hands-on work experience at our friendly Sea Change Training Café to build confidence and employability skills.

Life Skills Workshops:

• Practical sessions covering topics like cooking, budgeting, and communication to help prepare for adult life.

Social Events:

• Gaming and cinema nights and outdoor trips to encourage socialisation, friendships and community connection.

The project is part of AutismAble’s ongoing mission to enable, empower and enrich the lives of neurodivergent people across the North East. Delivered in partnership with Sea Change CIC, a social enterprise café providing meaningful training and employment, Building Futures is all about helping young people feel supported, confident, and excited for the future.

What Our Team Leaders Have to Say

Sarah Windle, Youth and Outreach Provision Team Leader, for AutismAble 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.”

For more information or to get involved, please contact Sarah Windle at sarah.windle@autismable.com or call 0793 943 3919.