The team working on our Autism in Berkshire: Past and Present history project to record people’s stories of living with autism in Berkshire is visiting Maidenhead for a drop-in event at the town’s library on Friday, May 13.
Everyone is invited to come along to share their experiences to help us develop an exhibition and a short drama performance, based on the stories we gather.
We want to hear individuals’ own experiences and those of family members, relatives and friends, both in recent years and from the past. These could include stories of life in the community, in special schools or in medical facilities. Please note that people can ask for their stories to be anonymous.
Everyone contributing to the project will be invited to join the group developing the drama performance to help bring the stories to the stage, but this is not obligatory.
Our research team will be in the Walker Room at Maidenhead Library, in St Ives Road, SL6 1QU, from 10am to 6pm.
It would be helpful if anyone planning to come along can let us know in advance. Please email ssnow@autismberkshire.org.uk or call Sarah Snow on 01189 594 594.
People who want to share their stories but cannot attend the event are welcome to send information to Autism Berkshire’s office in Reading or ask for a researcher to visit them, using the contact details above.
An online survey for the project can be completed by clicking here.
The project, which began last year to mark the 25th anniversary of our foundation in 1990 as the Berkshire Autistic Society, will also help to create a written and spoken archive of the history and development of autism understanding in the county since Victorian times.
Autism in Berkshire: Past and Present is funded with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
