A charity that supports children and adults with autism in South Cheshire has been bolstered by a nearby company as they introduce more popular game sessions at their Crewe center of expertise.
Aiden Taylor, a teenager who suffers from the disease and is an avid gamer, was the inspiration behind the donation to Autism Inclusive from the security company Alpha Omega, based in Crewe Business Park.
Aiden’s father, Andy Taylor, Operations Director at Alpha Omega, saw how much the center’s users were attending Monday night’s sessions and asked what the charity needed to expand.
Andy said, “Aiden is 18 and will soon be leaving his West Kirby college, but the only constant joy in his life is Autism Inclusive.
“He’s a highly functional autistic person and to the outside world people wouldn’t realize there was a problem, but everyday sound is an area that he has trouble with and he walks around with headphones on.
“Playing the Xbox is something he really loves, and Autism Inclusive has its own gaming section where he can hang out with other young people playing games and making friends with similar interests.
“Alpha Omega does a lot for local charities, but this is of course very close to my heart and we have agreed to pay for what they needed to expand the sessions.”
Alpha Omega General Manager Ken Lawton added, “I know what a huge amount of support the charity has been to Andy’s family over the years.
“It’s doing a great job in the local community and we’re delighted that our donation means so much to the young players.”
Autism Inclusive, based on the Buckingham Health and Science Campus in Crewe Green, is now hosting two sessions for teenagers 14 years and older every Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Since its inception in 2014, the charity has supported autistic children and adults, as well as people with ADHD and other neurodiversity and their families.
It offers self-help groups, counseling and educational workshops and training courses as well as activities for children, young people and adults.
There are sensory rooms and a large garden area.
Co-Chairman Elly Holstead added, “To extend the gaming sessions, we needed external hard drives to allow players to save their current location and load more games.
“Alpha Omega kindly put in the largest part of £ 500 to pay for this.
“Of course, articles for our gaming area are not cheap, so we are very grateful for this fantastic support.
“When we were at the Brierley Business Center, we used to have only one session a month, but since we moved to our new location at the Apollo Buckingham Health Science Campus last summer, the gaming space has grown in popularity, so we have increased on a weekly basis.
“We depend on donations and the generosity of the locals to keep going, so equipment and games purchases are greatly appreciated. We cannot thank Alpha Omega enough. “
Alpha Omega, a major South Cheshire employer of more than 230 employees, provides mobile security, static guards, CCTV surveillance and key management services to a wide variety of well-known companies and local authorities.
Autism Inclusive is just one of the charities supported this year.
At the height of the pandemic, the company arranged food deliveries for mothers and children in rural African communities and continues to be a regular supporter of Leighton Hospital’s Lost Little Ones appeal for a suite on the workstation for grieving parents.
For more information about the charity and how to support its work, visit www.autisminclusive.org.uk or call 01270 214859.
