News

Samantha Cameron hosts BeyondAutism reception

9th December 2015

The reception at No. 10 sees the public launch of a £1.5 million capital appeal to redevelop one of our existing school buildings into a world-class school for secondary and 6th Form students with autism.

Last night (Tuesday 8th December) Samantha Cameron hosted a reception at No. 10 Downing Street for guests of BeyondAutism. Charity patrons Prunella Scales CBE and Jane Moore joined many longstanding supporters of the charity at the launch of the appeal.

The new school will not only create more urgently-needed specialist places for London students, but also provide a strong foundation to educate hundreds of children and young people with autism over the decades to come, helping their families and society in turn. It will also allow us to expand our outreach and Post-19 services.

The new school will focus on developing the essential life-skills that students with autism need to make the difficult transition to adulthood and live as independently as possible, with a view to improving quality of life and opportunities in their adult years.

The building has been planned with older students in mind, with age-appropriate facilities (e.g. gym, domestic units, community dining area, social spaces, careers library, dedicated ICT/design tech/cooking areas) which will help build clear pathways to employment and further education.

During her speech Samantha Cameron presented Karen Sorab, the charity’s founder and Chair of Trustees, with a Prime Minister’s Points of Light award in recognition of her 15 years of voluntary service for BeyondAutism.

For more information on our capital appeal please contact Naomi Glancy on 020 3031 9705 or by email: naomiglancy@beyondautism.org.uk.