First Response Training (FRT) have signed up a team of 22 staff members to raise awareness and funds as they Walk for Autism.
The leading national training provider, which delivers a range of training on autism, neurodiversity and learning disabilities, is pleased to be supporting the annual fundraising challenge which encourages participants to walk 80,000 steps over 8 days.
The Walk for Autism challenge asks individuals or teams to walk 10,000 steps per day for 8 days from 26th March until 2nd April, which is World Autism Acceptance Day.
As well as raising much-needed funds to help the Autism Initiatives Group provide support and opportunities for autistic people and their families and carers, the Walk for Autism challenge is also designed to help increase autism acceptance and understanding.
Participants are encouraged to walk at their own pace, in their own time, to achieve their personal step target, with organisers highlighting how walking can help to improve physical health, boost wellbeing and reduce stress. For those taking part as a team, like First Response Training, the shared challenge can also boost social connections.
There are different versions of the challenge. Individuals and teams can walk 10,000 steps a day for 8 days, 160,000 steps over 16 days, or really step it up with an incredible 300,000 steps in one month.
Walk for Autism aims to create inclusive communities
The benefits for the autism community from the funds and awareness raised include:
- Help to create inclusive, autism-friendly communities
- Improved access to early diagnosis so that autistic people grow up with support and understanding
- Funding for vital projects that provide support and create opportunities for autistic people.
The Autism Initiatives Group, which organises the Walk for Autism, is a national charity that has been providing a range of specialist autism support for children and adults in the UK since 1972.
Their work focuses on “inclusive approaches that improve communication, understanding, and access across communities,” and funds raised by the annual Walk for Autism have helped them to develop new projects across the UK.
Walking up to World Autism Acceptance Day
April is World Autism Acceptance Month, and Wednesday 2nd April is World Autism Acceptance Day.
The 80,000 step challenge is scheduled to conclude on World Autism Acceptance Day, to help extend the celebrations.
World Autism Acceptance Month was established to help create autism-friendly communities, improve understanding of autism and increase and celebrate autism acceptance. It is crucial, since autistic people still face serious discrimination and barriers across all sectors of society, including in healthcare, education and employment.
As well as helping to breakdown these barriers, World Autism Acceptance Month aims to ensure autistic people can access positive opportunities to explore their interests, develop their skills and build meaningful relationships to lead fulfilling lives.
The National Autistic Society highlights the following concerning statistics that demonstrate why such initiatives are so vital:
- 8 out of 10 autistic people experience mental health problems
- Over half of autistic people avoid going out because they are worried about how people will treat them (55%)
- Only just over a quarter of autistic pupils feel happy at school (26%)
- Only 3 in 10 autistic people are in any form of employment
Walk for Autism at work
While Walk for Autism participants can go solo or join a team, many workplaces will take part, with Autism Initiatives encouraging and supporting people to ‘Walk at Work.’
They point out that the average office worker only walks around 3,000 steps a day, with this possibly falling further due to more people working from home. Signing up to complete the Walk for Autism with colleagues can bring the following benefits:
- A rewarding team-building activity, resulting in a more connected staff environment
- Reduction in stress and absenteeism
- Boost in staff wellbeing with happier, healthier and more satisfied employees
- Improved productivity, with more motivated staff
- Help to achieve corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals and generate positive publicity
As a virtual event, the Walk for Autism enables colleagues to participate together even if they are based in different locations across the UK.
You can find helpful information and advice about fundraising online.
FRT join the Walk for Autism
FRT are thrilled to be taking part in the challenge. Their team of 22-strong staff members will record their steps each day over the 8-day challenge and will be raising funds via dedicated fundraising page.
Closer to the challenge, FRT will be introducing team members on its social media pages and then, during the Walk for Autism, will be providing regular updates as the team steps its way to success.
Becky Cropper, Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Lead at FRT, is leading the team and has set a fundraising goal of £500. She said:
“This money goes to a wonderful cause and will help support people who need it. I am really excited to take part and really excited to see what our team can do!”
FRT provides autism training, support and employment opportunities
The national training provider was one of the first in the country to be approved to offer essential training in line with the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism.
They have since become quality assured to deliver Oliver’s Training through the Quality Assured Care Learning Service from the Department of Health and Social Care and Skills for Care and have trained over 40,000 learners through the delivery of over 1000 Tier 1 and 1000 Tier 2 training sessions.
They now employ over 100 Experts with Lived Experience Co-Trainers, many of whom are autistic.
FRT’s aim is to empower and educate learners across the country and transform their practice by embracing the lived experience of autistic individuals and those with learning disabilities. Through the collaborative strength of their Trainer Trios – Oliver McGowan Facilitating Trainers and Expert Co-Trainers – they aim to inspire lasting change in how individuals are understood, supported and valued.
Laura Amy Williams, Autistic Expert with Lived Experience at FRT, says:
“It gives me a lot of reassurance to know there are so many people who want to understand autism and autistic people. As an expert with lived experience, I feel I can simply be myself and share my story.”
FRT deliver over 7,000 courses each year in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food safety, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.
You can contact FRT via freephone 0800 310 2300, send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com or submit an online enquiry.