South Liverpool Homes supports local enterprise to give young people with Autism a space to grow

Published: 05 March 2024

A social enterprise in South Liverpool, Autism Adventures CIC, is creating an inclusive outdoor space for young people with neurodiverse conditions, thanks to South Liverpool Homes (SLH) who has gifted a piece of unused land. 

The green space on the corner of Critchley Road and East Millwood Road will be used by Autism Adventures to deliver training and activities, plus wellbeing support and advice and guidance to young people and families living with autism.

The site will be used for their EPIC (Enterprise, Progression, Independence and Confidence) programme - a three-day social provision programme that offers learning, volunteering and social enterprise opportunities for 19-25 year olds. 

Founder of Autism Adventures Julie Simpson is heading up the plans to transform the area and can’t wait to get started on her latest project: “Autism Adventures is based in Speke, and although we’ve been running since 2016, we haven’t got a space we can call our own.  We've always had to hire out different places, so SLH has kindly gifted us this land on Critchley Road that we're going to use for our EPIC programme.” 

“It's primarily going to be a space where our young people can connect with nature to grow flowers and plant vegetables, whilst developing invaluable skills. We also want it to be a safe place that our young people can use during the summer holidays, somewhere they can get together and bond over a common interest.” 

“More and more people are coming to us saying I need help with my son, daughter, friend who has Autism and unfortunately, we've don’t have enough space to accommodate these requests. We are delighted to finally have a place which we can call ‘ours’, somewhere we can put our roots down in the Speke community.” 

SLH’s Health and Wellbeing Officer, Thomas Hayes, who has worked closely with the organisation and local residents to make this happen, said:  

"We are delighted to donate this piece of land to such a worthy enterprise that is right in the heart of the community. It’s been derelict for the last few years so it’s heartwarming to know that it will soon be transformed into a community garden, tailored to the unique needs of local young people with autism. 

Our community garden, Grow Speke,  delivered by Groundwork and local volunteers, have also rallied behind the project. Staff and young people from Autism Adventures have become regular attendees at the garden where they are learning horticulture and gardening skills through a course delivered by Myerscough College. It’s lovely to see Julie and her team levelling up their gardening skills, ready to transform their very own outdoor space.” 

For more information about the project, email getinvolved@southliverpoolhomes.co.uk or visit the Autism Adventures website.