The only way is up!!!
2021 was quite an eventful year for ASPIE. The Mayor of Worcester, Cllr Stephen Hodgson chose us as one of his charities of the year, I received the BEM for Services to People with Asperger’s, both invaluable in raising the profile of ASPIE and awareness of Asperger’s. And we celebrated our 10th birthday in September. With Covid restrictions in place and subject to change, we arranged a low key birthday celebration, Tenpin bowling at Perdiswell Leisure Centre. Twenty five of us attended, important in helping everyone to feel confident out in the community and and enjoyed by all of us.
We were also faced with finding new premises, not easy when we need several rooms for various activities, a comfortable atmosphere and essentially based in the centre of Worcester for easy access from all parts of the UK.
After casting our net far and wide we did it. We found Vesta Tilley House. It was a big task, the actual move and getting everything sorted out but we all worked together, finishing the last week in October in Sansome Walk and opening the next in Vesta Tilley House. There’s still stuff to do here but it’s working and having a lot more space and bigger rooms means more members can be with each other or find smaller spaces for art, music and other interests and a quiet room in which to chill. We benefit from being closer to Worcester Judo Club and to KGV where ASPIE AVENGERS FC train, and different eateries for a variety of cuisines!.
Through all of this, we continued to support members through both strands of our operation, face-to-face twice weekly and as Online ASPIE, providing socialising, counselling, mentoring, advocacy and practical support, more important than ever in coping with the backlash of Covid’s enforced isolation and restrictions.
Our aims remain the same, to provide friendship, understanding and acceptance of being different, improving communication and interacting skills and boosting motivation into remaining in or returning to education, employment and independent living as well as enjoying cultural pursuits that many, not on the spectrum, take for granted.
The laid-back environment, tailored to suit aspies is conducive to joining in board games, discussions plus computer/internet access for strategic games etc. We have a couple of keyboards and guitars. Chess is popular and so are our quiz nights.
Members are free to come and go and can stay as long or as little as they are comfortable with and they can join in activities if they wish or they can just sit and ‘be’
We know how difficult education and employment can be. Being able to discuss worries and problems together on how to cope with college life and employment can help to avoid mishaps. We have our own counsellors who put members at their ease, relieve anxieties and involve them in discussions about understanding themselves and improving relationships.
If you would like to visit to check us out, you are welcome. There’s nothing to lose.
