The ‘Walkies for Autism’ is a 2-mile walk at Cwmcarn Forest to celebrate and raise awareness and funds for Risca Comprehensive School ASC Centre Ci project in their garden at the start of World Autism Awareness Week, which this year takes place from 27th March to 2nd April 2023.
The walk will start at 10.45am from the Cwmcarn Forest car park and should take about 45 minutes. After the walk, participants can enjoy a cuppa and a snack at the Raven Café.
The ASC Centre supports young people aged 11 to 16 in a mainstream setting, where they are supported by a key worker to attend mainstream lessons and also spend time in the centre to focus upon key skills.
The ASC Centre also helps students to develop essential social and life skills to prepare pupils for life outside of the school.
Funds raised at last years’ walk helped to develop independent skills within our garden, working alongside pupils in our ALN department we aim to create a setting that fosters independence and fundamental organisation skills built around students learning essential routines and skills that they require for their future. These real-life practical skills are vital in ensuring students feel confident and develop self-esteem.
The funding also helped provide the centre with tools and resources in their allotment and sensory garden with the aim to learn how to live independently and work with and alongside others.
The funds raised from the 2023 walk will help the school to further the work with their Ci project; this is a project where our ASC centre work with our ALN department in the garden. This year our amazing pumpkins; planted and harvested by us have provided great learning experiences; recently we made pumpkin jam.
John Kendall, the school’s head teacher said: “I was delighted to see this event back on the school calendar last year after a two-year break because of Covid. It was extremely well attended and I have no doubt that will also be the case this year. Although I am retiring in August I hope to be back for the annual Walkies for Autism with my dogs for several years to come! Many thanks to the organisers, and to everyone who takes part!”
To register for the event email [email protected]
