Young autistic people and people with learning disabilities will receive help and support thanks to London Freemasons
More than 300 young autistic people and people with learning disabilities will benefit from a grant from London Freemasons to the Respond charity.
The £66,000 grant will support Respond’s work with young people aged 13-25 that have experienced trauma through abuse or harm. The funding will make a significant difference in enabling Respond to provide a greater range of support and will be used for psychotherapy, advocacy and family support.
Over 40 per cent of young people using Respond's services have experienced repeated trauma in their lives. Therapists use approaches such as creative art therapy to support autistic young people and young people with learning disabilities to express feelings and communicate the emotional impact of their experiences. This funding will support them to deliver 160 therapy sessions.
Respond's advocacy service will support young people to understand healthy relationships and reduce further risk of exploitation and harm through group work.
The grant will also support them to deliver a webinar about the impact of trauma on family members that have loved ones that have experienced abuse or harm.
The NSPCC has reported that children and young people with learning disabilities or autism are vulnerable to neglect, exploitation and abuse. Reports suggest that they are three or four times more likely than non-disabled children to be victims of abuse.
The grant from London Freemasons comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Dr Foziha Hamid, Director of Respond said:
"We’re very grateful to London Freemasons for their generous grant. This is such vital work with autistic children and young people with learning disabilities. The combination of therapy, advocacy and family support enables to look at the impact of trauma in a more holistic and beneficial way to support both individuals and families to move from hurting to healing."
Paul King from London Freemasons, said:
"I'm really pleased we've been able to help Respond with their vital project. So many young autistic people have experienced trauma in their lives, often from people they should have been able to trust. Following Respond’s support they are much more likely to be able to form healthy and happy relationships ."
