Established in 1997, The Kent Autistic Trust’s Family Information and Support Service has been serving Medway and Kent for more than 25 years. We help around 5,500 autistic individuals, families, parents and carers in Kent each year. The team has also provided training, workshops and behaviour strategies to organisations, professionals, schools and groups.
Post pandemic we have struggled to attract grants for salaries and despite all our efforts, including working with both Medway and Kent local authorities and campaigning for funds through the membership we are not able to continue to offer Family Support in its present format. We are, however, grateful to the funders who have supported this important Service and hope that they will continue to do so in the future for the Adult Services. The Charity has worked hard to prop up the services for several years but is now not able to continue as its own surplus is now reducing year after year.
Whilst we have taken the difficult decision to close the children’s service going forward, Emilymay Miles will continue to lead the adults service for two days per week from September, following a pause in August. She will honour any commitments that have already been agreed in that month excluding all peer online support groups, these will recommence but with some adaptations in September. This will ensure a sustainable future going forward and the most vital functions can continue. We will, however, only be able to help autistic people and their families/supporters and will no longer be able to assist professionals free of charge.
A new service for FS adults will be available on our website and will offer group meetings, email advice and information and training online to autistic adults and their support network. This will be put in action as from 2nd September
The Local Authority have advised us that the new and enhanced autism pathway will be available from mid-2025. In the meantime, current users of our service can access useful information and links here.
We are grateful to our incredible staff, Wendy Boorman and Emilymay Miles who have worked tirelessly and made a huge contribution to the wellbeing of autistic people and their families in Kent and Medway. Although this is the end of only one element of the service, we know that they will continue through different avenues making a big difference to the autistic community. Thank you for all your support.
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