AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
THE teenage girl sat in the corner without saying a word for months.
Isolated and severely depressed, the young woman found solace in silence, away from a harsh world that failed to understand or accept she was different.
She is one of thousands of people in Hull and the East Riding with high functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome, conditions that affect how a person makes sense of the world, processes information and relates to other people.
Slowly, and at her own pace, staff at Matthew's Hub in Hull reached out to the 17-year-old and she was able to communicate her feelings, frustrations and ambitions, first through post-it notes and then with longer letters.
Now, thanks to their support, the teenager is about to enrol in a college course
and is beginning to lead a fuller life.
Project manager Kath Trotter says: "People come here and they feel safe.
"They are not as vulnerable here as they are in the outside world.
"We can offer them support and advice, whether it's taking people to the doctor or going on nights out to the cinema or to the pub for a meal, but everything we do is at a pace they are comfortable with."
Matthew's Hub opened in Ferensway, Hull city centre, in June and, so far, about 90 people have climbed the stairs to the first floor of their building in Regent House.
It's a friendly, cheery place, with bright red sofas, a giant TV screen, artwork by autistic students at Hull College and an array of modern-day essentials such as a Wii, PS3, Xbox and laptops. There is a drum kit and a keyboard so people can express themselves through music.
The most important thing is people can be free to be who they are, without judgment or criticism.
Matthew's Hub was set up at the request of the family of a young man with Asperger's who struggled to find the support he needed throughout his life.
Part of Beverley-based charity Find, it was given three years' funding by Beverley logistics firm Deflog VQ Trust to create the first centre of its kind in East Yorkshire.
Medical opinion remains divided over the links between high functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome. Both part of the "autism spectrum", some experts say there is no difference while others point out people with Asperger's experience no delay in developing language skills as a child.
What is certain is that both conditions have a major impact on people's lives.
There are about 4,000 people in East Yorkshire thought to have the conditions. Many of them are undiagnosed and have received little or no support in the past.
That's the beauty of Matthew's Hub.
People who suspect they have either condition can come along and get help with anything from housing and benefit problems to help finding work or developing their skills. Aimed at over-16s, many of the people walking through the doors have never received an official diagnosis – they just know they are perceived as different.
Kath says: "As well as people aged between 16 and 25, we have people who are in their forties and fifties.
"Because they have never been diagnosed, it's a lot more complex and they need far more intensive support."
A drop-in session is held on Monday to Friday, from 10am to 2pm, with social nights held on Thursdays, from 5pm to 10pm. The social nights can involve cosy nights in at the Hub, allowing people to mingle, chat or just watch TV, while once a month, there's a trip to the cinema or for a meal out.
Ryan Berry, who works alongside Kath as a volunteer advocacy assistant, says: "We offer outreach and one-to-one sessions where we discuss what support people want.
"People can just come along and hang out.
"They can come along to use the computers to look for work or to do their own research."
Steven, 22, walks through the door and is greeted with a friendly hello by Ryan and Kath.
He doesn't want to give his full name – the taunts of the bullies who have plagued his life still ring in his ears.
But at Matthew's Hub, Steven has come into his own and holds down a full-time job as an apprentice administrator.
"Before I started coming here, I was just staying at home as I didn't have anyone to go out with," he says.
"There's a friendly atmosphere here and I get to do things I want. I've gone to other places now because I feel more confident.
"There is no pressure here. We're just accepted for who we are rather than have people trying to change us into something we're not."
A Hub for social activities, advice and support
MATTHEW'S Hub provides social activities, advice and support for people over 16 with high functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome in Hull and East Riding.
People are given support to build confidence and self-esteem. They can also develop skills to allow them to volunteer or find work.
People can be referred to the service through their GP, social or health service.
They can contact the centre through their website matthewshub.org, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 01482 221028.
A diagnosis of high functioning autism or Asperger's is not required.
SOURCE: http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull...eople-autism/story-22819642-detail/story.html
THE teenage girl sat in the corner without saying a word for months.
Isolated and severely depressed, the young woman found solace in silence, away from a harsh world that failed to understand or accept she was different.
She is one of thousands of people in Hull and the East Riding with high functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome, conditions that affect how a person makes sense of the world, processes information and relates to other people.
Slowly, and at her own pace, staff at Matthew's Hub in Hull reached out to the 17-year-old and she was able to communicate her feelings, frustrations and ambitions, first through post-it notes and then with longer letters.
Now, thanks to their support, the teenager is about to enrol in a college course
and is beginning to lead a fuller life.Project manager
Kath Trotter says: "People come here and they feel safe."They are not as vulnerable here as they are in the outside world.
"We can offer them support and advice, whether it's taking people to the doctor or going on nights out to the cinema or to the pub for a meal, but everything we do is at a pace they are comfortable with."
Matthew's Hub opened in Ferensway, Hull city centre, in June and, so far, about 90 people have climbed the stairs to the first floor of their building in Regent House.
It's a friendly, cheery place, with bright red sofas, a giant TV screen, artwork by autistic students at Hull College
and an array of modern-day essentials such as a Wii, PS3, Xbox and laptops. There is a drum kit and a keyboard so people can express themselves through music.The most important thing is people can be free to be who they are, without judgment or criticism.
Matthew's Hub was set up at the request of the family of a young man with Asperger's who struggled to find the support he needed throughout his life.
Part of Beverley-based charity Find, it was given three years' funding by Beverley logistics firm Deflog VQ Trust to create the first centre of its kind in East Yorkshire.
Medical opinion remains divided over the links between high functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome. Both part of the "autism spectrum", some experts say there is no difference while others point out people with Asperger's experience no delay in developing language skills as a child.
What is certain is that both conditions have a major impact on people's lives.
There are about 4,000 people in East Yorkshire thought to have the conditions. Many of them are undiagnosed and have received little or no support in the past.
That's the beauty of Matthew's Hub.
People who suspect they have either condition can come along and get help with anything from housing and benefit problems to help finding work or developing their skills. Aimed at over-16s, many of the people walking through the doors have never received an official diagnosis – they just know they are perceived as different.
Kath says: "As well as people aged between 16 and 25, we have people who are in their forties and fifties.
"Because they have never been diagnosed, it's a lot more complex and they need far more intensive support."
A drop-in session is held on Monday to Friday, from 10am to 2pm, with social nights held on Thursdays, from 5pm to 10pm. The social nights can involve cosy nights in at the Hub, allowing people to mingle, chat or just watch TV, while once a month, there's a trip to the cinema or for a meal out.
Ryan Berry, who works alongside Kath as a volunteer advocacy assistant, says: "We offer outreach and one-to-one sessions where we discuss what support people want.
"People can just come along and hang out.
"They can come along to use the computers to look for work or to do their own research."
Steven, 22, walks through the door and is greeted with a friendly hello by Ryan and Kath.
He doesn't want to give his full name – the taunts of the bullies who have plagued his life still ring in his ears.
But at Matthew's Hub, Steven has come into his own and holds down a full-time job as an apprentice administrator.
"Before I started coming here, I was just staying at home as I didn't have anyone to go out with," he says.
"There's a friendly atmosphere here and I get to do things I want. I've gone to other places now because I feel more confident.
"There is no pressure here. We're just accepted for who we are rather than have people trying to change us into something we're not."
A Hub for social activities, advice and support
MATTHEW'S Hub provides social activities, advice and support for people over 16 with high functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome in Hull and East Riding.
People are given support to build confidence and self-esteem. They can also develop skills to allow them to volunteer or find work.
People can be referred to the service through their GP, social or health service
.They can contact the centre through their website matthewshub.org, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 01482 221028.
A diagnosis of high functioning autism or Asperger's is not required.
SOURCE: http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull...eople-autism/story-22819642-detail/story.html
