Our Family & Friends Association exists to provide a valuable forum for parents to share information with each other and feedback to Autism Together as a group..
The main aims of the group are:
- Introduce staff and family/carers to each other in informal surroundings.
- Exchange information between family/carers and staff.
- Provide a forum where ideas and suggestions of mutual interest can be discussed.
- Give staff an opportunity to discuss the activities of Autism Together.
- Establish family/carer involvement wherever practicable.
Since its first meeting at Raby Hall on Saturday, 2nd November, 1985, the Family & Friends Association (formerly the Parent Staff Association) has allowed parents, siblings, friends and staff to meet and exchange ideas in a friendly and informal atmosphere.
The group aims to:
- The group holds no formal election of committee or officers, but ad hoc sub-groups can be formed for particular functions. Volunteers act as Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer on a two-yearly rotating basis.
- Meetings are held twice a year, in June and November, with Saturday morning seen as the most convenient time.
- Staff regularly attend meetings to report on past and future activities and ways family/carers can get involved in events. Although fundraising is not a main aim of the Association, opportunities may arise for possible fundraising.
Background
Back in 1985, in the early days of the Association, there were only 18 residents and 28 staff at Autism Together. Today we support around 400 people and employ about 1,000 staff.
The first meeting was attended by 25 parents and a decision was taken that subsequent meetings would be informal with a Secretary to take minutes and a Chairperson chosen on a rotating basis, with a senior staff member present to report on progress. A decision was made that no individual supported person would be discussed at the meetings.
In November 2004, the group’s name was changed to Family & Friends Association to better reflect the input of carers, siblings and friends.
Members have agreed to contribute £15 per parent. This money was used to buy a Christmas gift for the staff as a way of saying thank you, but from December 2012 this was replaced by a quarterly Staff Appreciation Draw with cash prizes.
Funds are also used for buying small extras for the use of the people we support and, over the years, has helped the purchase of items such as a vacuum cleaner, music synthesiser, pottery kiln, lawnmowers and even a chicken coop.
The contribution is purely voluntary and is not a membership fee as such, because each family member/carer is automatically a member when their loved one joins Autism Together in either residential, supported living or day services. However, we would encourage you to contribute as it is an important part of the Association’s remit.
Membership Information
The current Secretary of the Family & Friends is Carole Battersby, the Treasurer is Caryl Heath. There is currently a vacancy for Secretary.
When new individuals join our services, either residentially or as a CVS attendee, a welcome pack is sent out by the Admin Team from head office – Oak House, in Bromborough. The pack includes a welcome letter from Carole, the date of the next meeting, a copy of the Aims & Objectives, the previous meeting’s minutes and a Banker’s Order form should new members wish to pay the annual contribution.
If you are an existing parent/carer who now wants to pay a subscription, please obtain a Banker’s Order Form from the Admin Manager at head office.
