Latest News 2010
Kris Baillie ready for epic UK bus trip
Only four weeks until Fifer, Kris Baillie who has Aspergers, sets off on his 20,000 mile trip round the UK - by bus! He reckons it will take four weeks but for Kris that will be a pleasure he knows more detail about buses than most of the drivers. Stagecoach is kindly supporting Kris in his mission and he will be raising awareness of autism and funds for the Society along the way. You can wish him luck and support him by going to www.justgiving.com/Kris-Baillie
Top Chef opens new Centre in Dunfermline
Top Scottish chef, Nick Nairn, opens Blue Central, the Society’s new base in Dunfermline for adults with autism. Modern, light and airy, the day centre is used by adults with autism who are taught life skills such as cooking in the spacious training kitchen and pottery and woodwork in the workshop. The Society focuses on providing specific support to people with autism, in small groups which allows greater emphasis on each individual’s needs. Other purpose-built resource bases are already being planned.
Nick’s relationship with the Scottish Society stems from his Cook School in Port of Menteith where a number of adults with autism work in the herb and vegetable garden.
“It has been a learning curve and great experience for us which we are looking to develop in the future,” he said. “This is a great environment: it feels light and bright and modern.”
Pictured with Nick is Rachel Webb, SSA area manager for Fife and Tayside.
Fantastic donation from Marathon Man
Almost £3000 has been raised by first-time Edinburgh marathon runner, Stephen Kennedy from Broughty Ferry. He is pictured right with Doc Ferry's Bar Owner, Dave Glass, who helped him raise the money with a quiz night and proceeds from the bottle on the bar. Describing the run, Steve, who has two cousins with autism, summed up: "It was torture but I would do it again!"
Healthy Living Award for Ridgepark
The healthy living award, launched in 2006, gives national recognition to caterers and the food service sector for providing healthier menu options as well as associated promotional activity. To achieve an award there are certain conditions a caterer must meet and these are based around the principles of a healthy balanced diet. Pictured are staff from Ridgepark, the Society’s transitional assessment centre.
Sun shines on Alexandria Football
Wallace Bear was out and about on Sunday 30 May at an under 12s football tournament organised by junior coach, David Connolly, to raise awareness and funds for the Society. There were 12 teams, endless burgers and hotdogs and it was a great day for everyone and raised over £500 for the Society.
Runners' News
Well done to Sam Sheppard, a student of Psychology at Stirling University who raised £701 for the Edinburgh Marathon. Mother of two, Linsey Donald from Dundee, completed the race in 6 hours 35 mins 6 secs - her first effort and she raised around £600.
Here is the Lynn Doyle team in the Women's 10K in Glasgow - they made it and raised £760!
Well done to Scott Wilson (pictured with his son Isaac), a Society supporter who completed the London Marathon for the Society on Sunday 25 April. His first marathon ever! Donate to his great effort on Just Giving.
April issue of Jigsaw out now
Call 01259 720044 for your free copy of the Society newsletter, Jigsaw.
Watch the recent BBC programme - The Autistic Me - One Year On
Wallace Bear on Tour
Friday 2 April is World Autism Awareness Day and activities are taking place across the UK and beyond.
The Society mascot, Wallace the Bear is available to visit primary schools after the Easter holidays for some fun and games. Call us to find out more - 01259 720044 or email fundraising.
Iinformation on World Autism Awareness Day
1 March - The Horse Boy screenings start this week
The Horse Boy is being screened in various venues across Scotland from this Thursday thanks to the efforts of Fife mother, Gillian Naysmith, whose son Sam is on the Spectrum. The film tells the story of one family's adventure as they travelled to Mongolia to the Shaman people in search of help for their autistic son, Rowan. It shows the boy's amazing connection to horses and how just being on a horse had an incredible effect on him. Find out more on her website.
25 February - Linsey runs for the Society
Linsey Donald from Dundee, is our first supporter to sign up for the Big Fun Run in July - www.bigfunrun.com.By then she will have also completed her first Marathon as she is joining our team of runners taking part in this year's event in Edinburgh in May - two spaces still available! Pictured here with her seven-year-old son Jordan, who has autism, Linsey fits in motherhood and fitness training with her studies in forensic science.
22 February - Crafty gifts for New Struan
The Centre for Autism at New Struan became the first school in Scotland to benefit from the gift of a set of creative tools, provided by Craft-Ed, a leading educational convent provider and arranged through the Hilton Foundation.
Following a discussion with the company's local manager, the School's Deputy Head, Maria Murray arranged for the tools to be gifted to the school and these pupils are the first to use them.
17 February - St Andrews students ready to run!
Students at St Andrews University are urging people to Get Active 4 Autism in 2010.
They are helping the Society to recruit people keen to walk, jog or run and to raise awareness of autism. Events on offer this year in Scotland include the Women's 10K in Glasgow on 9 May, the Scottish Half Marathon and the Edinburgh Marathon on 23 May and the 5km Big Fun Runs -register online here: www.bigfunrun.com.
1 February - Malawi made easier!
The fundraising target for the Malawi Trek (6-17 October) has been reduced to £2500 if trekkers book their own flights in the next few weeks. So far 12 people will be heading to the Warm Heart of Africa in October - but there are still places available. Find out more - email us!
18 January
Top food safety award for Ridgepark
Excerpt from South Lanarkshire Council News
Ridgepark House has passed a national food safety hygiene test with flying colours.
It scooped the Food Standards Agency's 'Eat Safe' food hygiene award which is awarded to commercial kitchens which prepare food in conditions which exceed those required by legislation.
The Food Standards Agency, which grants its awards to commercial kitchens - whether a snack bar or a major hotel, set up the scheme a few years ago to provide an incentive for caterers to strive for food hygiene and food safety management standards beyond those required by law. There are now around 20 premises in South Lanarkshire which have obtained the award.
Ridgepark House assists with the transition from school to living within the community and where possible to supported employment. Pictured are Andrew Ramsay, service manager with administrator/kitchen supervisor, Anne Campbell (back)and cook, Catriona Bason. The other part-time cook not pictured is Gillian Weir.
13 January
Choral Society Concert raises £500
The proceeds from a Christmas concert held by the East Neuk Choral Society in December have been kindly donated to the Scottish Society for Autism.
"The Society directly supports over 500 adults with autism in Scotland and offers training and advice to countless more," said Carolyne Nurse, Fundraising Development Officer, who accepted the cheque for £500 at the Waid Academy on Tuesday 12 January.
"Donations like this help us to enhance the support we offer and may be used towards specialist sensory equipment, art therapy materials and communication aids."
Pictured from left to right
Jane Macdonald, Irene Stevenson , Marjory Richardson and Ian Derward from the Choral Society with Carolyne Nurse (centre)
01259 720044