ASPIE members celebrate our 13th birthday

Services for adults on the spectrum were scant when we opened in 2011 and not much better now, hence the many calls, emails and visits we receive from all parts of the West Midlands and the UK because we continue to provide what Asperger/autistic adults need but is not currently commissioned, a range of vital long-term support services, acceptance, friendship, varied activities including socialising, games, pool, art, peer support at our centre in Lowesmoor, a safe haven (despite being in an area of deprivation) open twice weekly, 52 weeks of the year. Support includes autism specific counselling pre and post diagnosis and for a range of other debilitating issues to help avert depression and crisis.

On Wednesday 25 September we celebrated our birthday in the usual fashion with a scrumptious buffet and ASPIE cake followed by games, a quiz, art competition and killer pool.

Some highlights:

ASPIE AVENGERS, our football club, continues to thrive, we now have two teams, the Red Team and the Blue Team and both were successful in the 3 Counties Ability Counts league 2023/24. They continue to train 51 weeks of the year.

Our Art Group’s entry into Lights, camera, Paint…Art Trail is on show at The Cabin in Trinity Street and they are gearing up to take part in the Cathedral’s Christmas Tree Festival.

After a session of cricket lessons, organised by Worcestershire Cricket Foundation, with our own Sports coach, Dale, an ASPIE team played at New Road, the home of Worcestershire County Cricket Club and rated as one of the world’s most beautiful cricket grounds, on Sunday 4 September, competing with other teams from Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Shropshire, winning all games. It was a most enjoyable day for all. I was there, and we have photos and a video as a reminder of such a happy time.

The previous Saturday, another set of members were at Branston, enjoying swimming in the Lake, organised by Rachel Freeman of Everybody Dance.

Members were guests of the Worcester Warriors Foundation, beating their staff at pool!

Cinema visits have been arranged and day trips to the Lido and Alton Towers and members have holidayed together in Majorca and a second group is off to Cornwall for their annual break

A Community Theatre Group Project will be starting at ASPIE in October.

A returning member remarked recently that it’s amazing that we make it possible for adults on the autistic spectrum to meet, socialise, take part in games and all the activities above, becoming socially included inside and outside ASPIE, none of which would happen without ASPIE.