I’m Sharon, the autism lead at Aspire and part of the National Autistic Society Appeals and Beacon Panel. I’m also a qualified Oliver McGowen trainer. At Aspire, we provide Autism training to all of our staff members to ensure they have the best training, understanding and skill set to put Read more…
It’s Autism Acceptance Week 2025! It doesn’t seem like a year since the last one but there we are. I remember my creations for Waterside’s Bake Off last year. I really wanted to show off the Aspire Values of Personal, Progressive, Consistent and Accountable creating shortcrust jigsaw pieces and mini Read more…
Sharon Marsden, Aspires Autism Lead, created this easy-read booklet explaining ‘What is Autism.’ It’s a great resource, so please feel free to download and share it with anyone with learning disabilities who wants to learn more about autism.
Alex is part of the catering training programme at Brierley Community Hub, where he is developing his kitchen and baking skills. With the support of Dawn, the Catering Training Officer, and cook Lindsey, Alex has made great progress. As someone with autism, he benefits from extra support to help him Read more…
We are proud to announce that Waterside Specialist Support have achieved the Autism Specialist Award (accredited status) from the National Autistic Society. This award is part of the Accreditation Programme and allows Waterside to be recognised as a specialist provider in the social care sector. We are very proud to Read more…
Your Role:Hi, I’m Mez, the Administrative Officer at Poppy Dementia Day Support. Where do you work?I’ve recently joined the team at Poppy Dementia Day Support in Swinton. Why did you apply for the role?After the last few years of feeling unfulfilled in corporate environments, I wanted to return to a Read more…
This Christmas has been busy and full of fun, just as we expected. There has been parties, days out, nativity plays, pantomimes and lots of festive activities. Scroll down to see what our Community Hubs, Granville Respite Care, and Supported Living have been up to in December. Thanks to all Read more…
As we age, staying active is important for both our body and mind. For older adults and people with dementia, exercising can be challenging, but chair-based exercises offer a safe and simple way to stay active while enjoying many health benefits. A Chance to SocialiseChair-based exercises are often done in Read more…
Daniel is a young man with a passion for fun rides and machines that make noises. He enjoys being active and engaging in activities that are inclusive to his needs. Daniel is autistic, has a learning disability, and is visually impaired, but these challenges do not deter him from pursuing Read more…
Your roleI work as a Data & Systems Officer. My primary responsibilities include managing data, implementing systems, and supporting our teams by providing technical guidance and data-driven insights. Each day, I aim to make technology more accessible and valuable to our teams, empowering them to work more effectively. Where do Read more…