Wrexham AFC awarded Autism Friendly Award by the National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society has awarded an Autism Friendly Award to Wrexham AFC to recognise their work to support and include autistic people and their families.
The Autism Friendly Award is the third award of its kind run by the National Autistic Society and provides guidance on how businesses can be more inclusive for autistic people.
The award focuses on key areas including how to provide customer services, information and environments which are accessible and inclusive for autistic people. It can be adopted by any customer facing organisation, including businesses in the retail, transport, arts, entertainment and leisure industries.
Wrexham AFC is one of the first organisations to successfully apply for the new award, which recognised the Club’s commitment to ensuring their grounds and matches are accessible to autistic fans.
The certificate was presented to the Club by Kerry Roberts, Chair of the Wrexham National Autistic Society branch at a recent match.
At least one in 100 people are autistic, which means more than 700,000 people in the UK, but many autistic people and their families still struggle to access essential community spaces, businesses and shops.
By meeting the standards set out in the Autism Friendly Award, businesses can ensure they offer an industry approved autism-friendly environment.
Christine Flintoft-Smith, Head of Autism Accreditation at the National Autistic Society, said: “We’re delighted to announce that Wrexham AFC is one of the first organisations to receive our new Autism Friendly Award. Each venue that achieves the Autism Friendly Award will be helping to make the UK a more autism-friendly place by opening their doors to autistic people and their families.
“There are lots of small changes which businesses can make to better support autistic people, and just a little understanding can go a long way. We’re looking forward to working with as many businesses as possible to help create a society that works for autistic people.”
Kerry Evans, Disability Liaison Officer at Wrexham AFC, said: “Wrexham AFC are delighted to have recently renewed their Autism Friendly award with the National Autistic Society.
“We first gained our award in 2018 and were very proud to be the first club in Wales to obtain such an award and the first business in Wrexham.
“We are fully committed to continuing our partnership with the National Autistic Society to offer the very best match day experience for fans attending Wrexham AFC.”
For more information about the award and how to apply, visit: https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/solutions-for-business/autism-friendly-award
Top pic: : Stephane Guidon, Senior Branch Engagement Officer- Wales and Kerry Roberts, Chair of the Wrexham National Autistic Society branch, present the Autism Friendly Award to Kerry Evans, Disability Liaison Officer at Wrexham AFC,
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