AN INCLUSION and disability programme has been recognised with a prestigious national award for its support of autistic people.
The ‘Everybody Can’ service by Active Tameside has been given the National Autistic Society’s Autism Specialist Award.
This is a mark of excellence for providers in sectors including education, social care and the justice system.
Everybody Can runs a wide range of activities and services designed so that people of all abilities have the chance to thrive. These include social care for children and adults, youth and community programmes, employment and education opportunities. Activities span from cycling, swimming and football to sensory play, horticulture and yoga.
The award followed several observational visits and an anonymous survey of families who use the service. One parent described Everybody Can as “a lifeline” for their family, saying their child “is always happy to go, and she enjoys her time when she is there.”
Assessors praised the team’s “highly attentive” approach and highlighted the way staff adapt strategies to promote independence, encourage engagement and support emotional wellbeing.
Cat Chenery, Social Care and Compliance Manager, said the recognition reflected years of dedication from staff.
She said: “It’s quite unique for an organisation of our kind to win an accreditation – it shows how skilled we are in supporting people with autism. It’s all testimony to the hard work and dedication that everyone puts into everything we do. An accreditation like this is hard won.”
The National Autistic Society’s Head of Autism Accreditation, Christine Flintoft-Smith, added: “The team should be exceptionally proud of their achievement and commitment towards improving support for autistic people.”
For Daniel Higgins, Head of Health and Social Outcomes at Active Tameside, the award is both a milestone and a motivator.
“This award showcases the team’s passion and commitment to our clients and their families,” he said.
“It also provides us with more motivation to continue to push forward, raising the bar to deliver a more inclusive, person-centred service, doing our part in continuing towards building a world that embraces everybody, regardless of their need or ability.”
Everybody Can sessions take place six days a week at venues across Tameside. Full details and timetables are available at activetameside.com/services/everybody-can.