The Autism Trust

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Our Children’s Future …
Polly Tommey Founder, The Autism Trust
Agenda
• • • • • Who am I? Why I am doing this …? The Need Our Vision The Autism Trust … A Worldwide Network • How far have we got? • Summary
Polly Tommey
• Mother of a 13 year old son with autism
Polly Tommey
• Mother of a 13 year old son with autism • Editor-in-Chief The Autism File
Polly Tommey
• Mother of a 13 year old son with autism • Editor-in-Chief The Autism File • Founder The Autism Trust
Polly Tommey
• Mother of a 13 year old son with autism • Editor-in-Chief The Autism File • Founder The Autism Trust And now … • A committed campaigner for basic rights for people with autism
Why am I doing this …?
• Billy’s Head Teacher’s comments • Preliminary research • Frightening responses
“I can’t even think about my child’s future … If I go there, I will lose total control” “I cry myself to sleep at night, petrified about what will happen when I’m not around” “If there is no future for my child – I will take him with me when I go …”
Why am I doing this …?
• Billy’s Head Teacher’s comments • Preliminary research • Frightening responses
“Many people also have concerns for what happens to their child when the parents pass away … For me I am hoping that destiny sends us something that wipes us out at the same time.”
Autism has become a taboo subject in the UK.
It affects over half a million people and yet our government and political leaders appear to disregard the often overwhelming stress and demands faced by families of those with autism.
Before Our Campaign
We contacted: • Former Prime Minister – Tony Blair • The Department of Health • The Department of Education • The Downing Street Press Office • The Opposition Leader … all without an adequate response
Our Campaign
Our Prime Minister: Mr Gordon Brown
What is the problem?
• Many parents are at breaking point • • • • The impact on family and siblings is critical They are unable to go out as a typical family The extra financial strain is crippling Adequate medical support is unavailable
And most importantly: • The basic human rights of their child are being ignored
Our Campaign
The Political Issue
Unless the problems of autism are understood; unless services become more available; and unless support is more widespread, we will see an underclass of disaffected and desperate autism households emerge.
A Personal Response …
Mr Brown’s Key Message
“Billy has a bleak future today in our blinkered world.
He is the inspiration to all of us in our family and everyone who meets him. His potential must not be dismissed.”
So what is the solution for Billy … … and so many others like him?
Building Sustainable Futures for Today’s Children with Autism … Worldwide
A Safe Haven for People with Autism
Our Charity’s Objective
Our objective is simple: to create a future with purpose for children everywhere with autism. We aim to do this by developing a nationwide network of innovative, high-quality environments: Centres of Excellence in Autism
A Centre of Excellence?
We will: • Work with existing like-minded and supportive autism organisations • Bring the best from across the world to our centres • Provide an Autism Trust ‘safe haven’ to all who need support
Billy Tommey
Facilities at each Trust
• • • • • • • • A Wellness Centre A Training & Conference Centre A Business Centre Personal Development Opportunities Vocational Programmes Residential Accommodation Retail Shops with Local Products A Café …
Local Partners
• We want to work with the best … • We will be collaborating with others already meeting local community needs • This includes other leading autism organisations who believe in our vision too • Each Autism Trust needs to become synonymous with high quality care, best practice treatment and world class support
Land Acquisition Options
• • • • • Buying the land outright Renting the land Targeting gifting of the land from a donor Partnering with a Housing Association Partnering with a private developer to obtain land through an offset agreement • Targeting publicly owned land through partnering with local authorities
Capital Funding
Indicative Capital Expenditure Elements Gross Sq m Training & Conference Centre (Phase 1) Business Centre Wellness Centre Café & Shop Residential Accommodation Administration & Office Accommodation External Infrastructure (Provisional) Contingency 1,000 1,000 500 200 2,500 650 N/K Contruction per sq m 1,250 1,250 2,000 750 1,000 1,250 Total UK £ 1,250,000 1,250,000 1,000,000 150,000 2,500,000 812,500 2,000,000 1,000,000 9,962,500
Programme
Current Programme for Development of The Autism Trust's First Community
4Q06 1Q07 2Q07 3Q07 4Q07 1Q08 2Q08 3Q08 4Q08 1Q09 2Q09 3Q09 4Q09 1Q10 2Q10 3Q10 4Q10 1Q11 2Q11 3Q11 4Q11 1Q12 2Q12 3Q12 4Q12 Charity Formation Trustee Appointments Business Planning Fund Raising Outline Scheme Design Location & Land Options Site(s) Identification Detailed Masterplanning Detailed Design Planning Applications Construction Operational Plans Management & Staff Recruitment Selection of Initial Residents Open & Go Live
Some challenges so far …
• Is The Autism Trust an ‘institution’? • Are we isolating people from the community? • Are we forcing people to work who can’t? • Is this a commercial venture? • Do we know all the answers? • Who is this really for …?
The Worldwide Network
UK
USA Dubai
The impact on the lives and relationships of relatives and the wellbeing of the individual sufferer is huge today. The impact on society if we fail to address this will be even greater tomorrow.
Help us to build a future for our children …
www.theautismtrust.org.uk UK Charity Nr 1117657 US 501(c)3 Corporation (DC)