A GRANT given to a group that helps children and adults with autism will be put towards its fundraising efforts for a new van.
Last week, The Engine Shed, received support from the Covid-19 Relief fund set up by the John Sykes Foundation.
The special interest group has been running from Katesgrove Children’s Centre for 12 years, using model railways and train sets for participants to play with.
It hopes that the van will enable it to continue to deliver the Reading sessions and to meet the demand for additional sessions.
The group was set up by parents and carers in response to the lack of welcoming and supportive recreational facilities for autistic children and the profound isolation that individuals and family members face.
Sian McCoubrey, a volunteer at the John Sykes Foundation, visited the monthly session along with Cllr Sophia James to present the cheque to Sarah Snow, chair and trustee of The Engine Shed.
“We are constantly asked to take trains to other local venues and over the years have held events at Reading’s special schools, community fetes and fairs,” said Ms Snow.
“We have been unable to meet demand for all session requests as we are limited by the lack of our own van and the accompanying driver/volunteer time to take on extra sessions.
“Coming out of lockdown, it became clear that the van which the Reading group has relied on for monthly sessions for over 10 years was on its last legs.”
The van is used to transport its G-gauge trains and the huge track boards.
“The large trains are a key attraction of many sessions; people do not have these at home and attendees enjoy driving them with the dual controls,” Ms Snow said.
“We would like to have our own van to meet the demand for current and additional sessions – and to involve our thriving Reading adult group in volunteering opportunities”.
As well as the train sessions, The Engine Shed has expanded to include days out, sibling activities, film nights, training, social events for parents and carers and sessions for autistic adults.
“For many families The Engine Shed is one of the few places that they attend where their autistic children are absorbed in a stimulating activity with peers and where they have time to talk with others in a similar position,” Ms Snow said.
“One unexpected outcome of the group is the coming together of older train enthusiasts, who bring their layouts and expertise, with the autistic children/young people who are similarly passionate about trains.
“This engagement has led to long-lasting volunteer placements, with three of our retired volunteers helping at sessions for over 12 years.”
Ms McCoubrey was pleased that the Foundation could help The Engine Shed.
“It was amazing to see so many children and young adults taking an interest in the model trains,” she said.
“The energy in the building was electric and I could really see the benefit this group brings to the children and their families, it is a safe and happy environment and the children loved building and making railway tracks and playing with the trains.
“We really hope to be able to visit the group again soon and wish them lots of luck with their fundraising”.
For more on The Engine Shed, and dates of further meetings, visit: http://www.theengineshed.org.uk/
Charities and organisations who would like to apply for support from the John Skyes Foundation’s covid relief fund can visit: www.johnsykesfoundation.org
