A CHARITY that aims to “build a movement for change” in supporting people with disabilities in Denbighshire will mark World Autism Awareness Week by celebrating community groups that have benefitted from its funding.

The Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC), the membership body for third sector groups and organisations, has run the Autism Awareness Community Led Grant programme since October, during which it donated £10,000 to six community groups in the county.

This includes Karma Wellbeing, Denbigh Men’s Shed, Stand, Bedford Street Community Company, Llanbedr Village Hall and Pentredwr Community Association.

The groups were able to hold workshops such as woodwork, furniture design, glass and ceramic painting and digital art which built their members’ confidence and life-skills.

The DVSC gained the funding after receiving £25,000 from the Integrated Autism Service, launched by the Welsh Government in 2017, which will also attend the celebration event at the Naylor Leyland Centre, Ruthin on April 3.

Julie Pierce, DVSC’s wellbeing lead, said: “All workshops provided adults with Autism with a sense of achievement and pride in a friendly, warm environment and our event is an opportunity to come together and celebrate the great work achieved.

“There will be case studies and short films from clients who have attended these beneficial and innovative workshops. This will also include presentations from the Hijinx Theatre, whose casts always include actors with learning disabilities, as well as Kier Construction, who have given work placement opportunities to young adults with autism.”

World Autism Awareness Week runs from April 1-7.

The DVSC event is open to all and takes place between 10am to 1pm.

For further information contact Julie Pierce by calling 01824 709 321 or email julie@dvsc.co.uk.