Deputy Mayor at Aycliffe Autism Centre Spring Fete

The new North East Centre for Autism School held an Easter Fete on 2nd April 2014 as part of the National Autism Awareness Day. Students from each class group manned a stall with a variety of games, craft items, cakes, biscuits and handmade bird feeders. Clare Steed, Textiles teacher said, “Visitors complimented the students on the quality of the work produced in such a short amount of time. I am very proud of them all”.
Learners from Thornbeck College which provides Further Education for learners aged 16-25, and Service Users from New Warlands Farm who provide Supported Employment opportunities sold a range of handmade products including cards, floral arrangements, textile products and garden furniture.
The Easter Fete raised over £400, which will be used to help social enterprises and develop links with the local community.
Karen Ferguson, Head Teacher was grateful to all who came and enjoyed the afternoon, “It was a great privilege to be able to show Wendy Hillary, the Deputy Mayor of Great Aycliffe, around our school and let her see the students work and the facilities provided by North East Autism Society.
Director of Education Christine Dempster said ‘North East Autism Society is committed to increasing community engagement and building positive relationships with the local community. The centre is the Society’s latest development and we are keen for the local community to use this provision. The students are now looking forward to planning and organising their Summer Fete.
Georgia Hutchinson (13) has a passion for Textiles and Crafts. In December her teacher taught her how to use the sewing machine and in a short time she made considerable progress in her textile skills. Textiles is one of the subjects that helps her self-regulate as Georgia has ASD. She said herself that having autism helps her to be talented.
She has also learnt the world of business and has set up an enterprise within school. Staff and students have bought her final pieces. and Georgia made around £140 at the Easter Fete and plans to buy more materials as part of her business.
The next step is for her to sell her final products at the NEAS shop in Sunderland. Georgia also attended a printing workshop at the town hall in Bishop Auckland and one of her prints is now exhibited there.
Danica is 18 years old and has ASD but is very creative and worked very hard to produce work for the school Easter Fete. She also enjoys cooking and brought those talents to the Fete. She completed her food hygiene certificate so that she was able to sell her cakes and made over £40.
The projects have helped Danica to become more confident and in the past three months has progressed so much. She seems happier, smiling, and beginning to communicate more confidently. Everyone is very proud of Danica.
Andrew is 18 with ASD and he is a talented Artist. He is inspired by animals and people and this helped him to produce two paintings. One, a self-portrait, where he learnt about tone and colour and the proportions of the face and the other, a painting of a wolf shown in the photo. His confidence has increased greatly and he looks forward to his next project, based on natural forms.