From ASCapers

On Tuesday 28 th October, about ten families from ASCape were lucky enough to visit the Numatics Factory at Chard, Somerset – Home of the iconic Henry vacuum cleaner, along with other floor cleaning products and janitorial trollies. On arrival, we were greeted by a small team of people, who helped provide hi-vis jackets for us all to wear. We were then led to …

Raja and Aaron were fab with the kids and really helped bring their visions to life. It was a really lovely vibe, and also predominantly Dad based (except for us!) which was a lovely change too.  A *really* important thing happened as, due to the fact that our imaginations ran riot, both kids were happy to complete their projects in STAGES ! We have booked …

Saturday 28th October 2024 We had a lovely morning this morning making pizza with Zeb and Chloebear When we arrived there was a little confusion as to where to sit as they had set up a “kids” table and grown up tables and some children obviously wanted to sit with their parents.  But it was soon sorted.  The children were offered drinks of blackcurrant …

Saturday 19th October 2024 We arrived at Charmouth beach to be greeted by the Thriving Wild team. They had set up a few different activities on the beach, including painting a flag (mixing our own paint using chalk and other natural materials) and lighting a small fire using flint. Willliam had had a hard week at school and we weren’t sure if he would …

We recently had a Family Activity Afternoon at CoRE Creative in Halstock. This is a new venue for ASCape, but one that is very familiar to some kids in our community who attend CoRE as an Alternative Provision (AP). The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, and these are 3 testimonials we received.  H, mum of S (14) and A (13): “I just wanted …

The Anime chill out was spectacular! It was a shame some people couldn’t attend last minute! There was not so much to do, but there were some people who made me laugh. I loved talking to some people. I loved talking to other Demon Slayer fans (an anime). Lots of things I loved! There was  a lot of lovely art paper to draw on. …

A group of lucky ASCapers took part in our first forest bathing session last week. Deep in a magical private woodland, our parents and carers were guided by Lizzy Rhodes of Tula Therapy through the healing Japanese art of forest bathing. These beautiful pictures from the activity are by Theresa Tiso and here’s her thoughts on the experience: “I just wanted to give Clare, Anna, …

In April, we teamed up with The Front Skatepark in Weymouth to offer a free skateboard and art workshop for ASCape children not in school or on reduced timetables. One of the parents whose son attended was Leonie MacDonald.  Here’s what she had to say about the activity: “Teo had such an inclusive and safe time at the recent Front skatepark session, made possible …

We really enjoyed our first meeting with the lovely people of ASCape. It was very well organised and we felt very welcomed. We attended the RSPB Radipole trip which was quite relaxed but informative and my girls all enjoyed the activity, joining in where they felt able to – no pressure and able to step out of the activity if needed. It was lovely …

We recently joined ASCape and both Lenny and I have been made to feel really welcome.  So far we’ve been to two events, Charmouth and Radipole and both have been brilliant. All the ASCape organisers are friendly, welcoming and understanding. It’s such a joy to be around people who understand what your child might be coping with. Radipole was a great afternoon with a …

We love it when we meet new families on our monthly Family Activity Afternoons. Last week we headed to the beach at Charmouth for some beach art and fossil fun. Here’s what first-time ASCaper Victoria Hunt had to say about the event: “We just wanted tell you how much we all enjoyed our first family event at Charmouth last weekend. Our little was anxious …

Recently, the Nothe Fort in Weymouth opened its doors to ASCape for a WWII event, especially created with sensory needs in mind. Here’s what one ASCaper, Emma Nicholson, made of the activity: “As a parent of two children with ASD, going to attractions is always difficult to navigate, there’s often too much unknown, too many people, too much noise, it’s too crowded. The Nothe …

We recently had a private event `Sharks After Dark’ at the Weymouth SEA LIFE Centre – thanks to a very kind donation from Johnnie and Sophie Boden. Here’s what some ASCape parents had to say about the event: Emma Nicholson says: “For my little girl Mylie, who has ASD, sensory processing disorder and dyspraxia, going to the SEA LIFE aquarium during the day involves …

I just wanted to write a small tell all about ASCape and how valued you and the group are! We attended the Family Activity Afternoon at Bridport Leisure Centre which included a hour’s private swim and a hour’s soft play with a snack in between. My goodness it was absolutely amazing. The worry you feel as parents with children who need that extra attention …

I had a few people recommend ASCape to me and I am so glad I went along! I first attended a couple of parent only groups which were good. It was nice to meet other parents going through the same experience. Clare who organizes it is absolutely wonderful. She is so kind and made me feel welcome from the moment I messaged her.I then …

MiniMusicMakers is an opportunity for your child to work together creating and recording their own music track. Gary from YouDoMusic and B Sharp takes the children through the steps of jamming together and mixing sounds, ending with a complete tune. Gary has a wonderful style with the kids, encouraging them without pressure. My son loved the opportunity to explore music making in a relaxed …

On arrival at Chesil Beach Visitor Centre we were warmly greeted and our children spent some time exploring the visitor centre whilst we waited for everyone to arrive. They had great fun playing with the magnetic crabbing game, and brushing in the sand box to uncover fossils. Then it was time for our seashore safari adventure to begin! Our guides explained that we would …

Our recent ASCape Family Summer Picnic was a big hit with everyone who came. Thanks to everyone who made it, and special thanks to the wonderful ASCape volunteers who actually made it happen! Big thanks too to the Boden family for sponsoring the Family Picnic. Here’s what some ASCape parents made of the event. Pippa says: “ I went along to ASCape’s annual summer …

We have been attending ASCape activities for around 18 months now, as we feel we have found our tribe, especially with understanding the barriers our family faces to accessing, what for some- are just everyday activities. I am grateful I can bring both my daughters as there isn’t much provision for autistic children, where the whole family can take part. In March we went …

Mindful Movement with Laura Edgell and Drumming Circle with Magdalena Atkinson Thank you for organising such an amazing activity for the parents and carers. I did not know I needed it so badly! The drumming allowed me to let go of everything that I was holding inside, I felt as though I was a warrior and even though there were others in the group …

My 9 year old daughter, Ruby-Jayne & myself, recently attended an event in Bridport. It was organised by the lovely Clare Cameron from ASCape, a charity supporting autistic children and their families. We all met up at Freshwater Caravan Park & we enjoyed an hour of swimming in the fun pools.  This was then followed by the children enjoying a hot meal in the …

Through ASCape, myself and our 12 year old son were able to attend the two day introduction to woodworking workshop, run by the group Local Matters at Bridport Community Shed. He had the chance to make a Memory Box from locally sourced wood. When we arrived for the session we were asked to bring something to go inside the box, he chose an old …

MiniMusicMakers is an opportunity for your child to work together creating and recording their own music track.  Gary from YouDoMusic and B Sharp takes the children through the steps of jamming together and mixing sounds, ending with a complete tune.  Gary has a wonderful style with the kids, encouraging them without pressure.  My son loved the opportunity to explore music making in a relaxed …

I had a few people recommend ASCape to me and I am so glad I went along!  I first attended a couple of parent only groups which were good. It was nice to meet other parents going through the same experience. Clare who organises it is absolutely wonderful.  She is so kind and made me feel welcome from the moment I messaged her.  I …