Big Lottery Fund award The Kent Autistic Trust
The Kent Autistic Trust is delighted that a grant from the Big Lottery Fund has been awarded. This grant will fund the work of both Family Support Officers (Adults and Children) for 5 years from April 1st 2010.
Jo Blamires and I are extremely grateful to all the parents, colleagues, adults and professionals who have supported us and helped us to continue our work through this period of uncertainty. We would also like to thank everyone who supported the petition to keep KAT Family Support Service going.
We are also grateful for the temporary funding that was provided by Medway and Kent Councils.
As part of the Big Lottery Award we are required to raise £25,772 by our own fundraising activities over the 5 year period. We will therefore be continually grateful to those people who in the past and future raise money for Kent Autistic Trust Family Support Service.

Best wishes,
Des Walker
Family Support Officer (Adults)

Visit the website at http://www.kentautistic.com/

Meetings and Groups
There are numerous support and information groups within Kent and Medway, a list of some of them can be downloaded here.

Meeting Dates for KAT (Medway) and other groups for 2010.
For Parents/Carers of CHILDREN and Young people
Ashford Group
Next meeting: None provided
Manor House (KAT Resource Centre), Bentley Road, Willesborough, ASHFORD

Maidstone Group
Next meeting: None provided
Salvation Army Hall, 74-80 Union St, MAIDSTONE

For Parents/Carers of ADULTS with ASD
NEW Maidstone Group starts in 2010
Salvation Army Hall 74-78 Union St Maidstone
Next meeting: 19th October, 10.00-12.00

NEW Canterbury Group starts in 2010
Georges Turle House, 54 London Road, Canterbury
Next meeting: 18th October, 10.00-12.00

Tunbridge Wells Group
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE TO TUESDAY
Next meeting: None provided
The Family Support Centre, 39a Grove Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells

(Please contact Des Walker for details of the adult groups)

Fathers’ Clubs
SEK Fathers’ Club
No upcoming dates provided
St Luke’s Church Hall, Canterbury Road, Hawkinge, CT18 7BP

Mid Kent Father’s Club
No upcoming dates provided
Bower Grove school, Fant lane, MAIDSTONE, ME16 8NL

Kent Autism Alert Card
The Kent Autistic Trust in conjunction with the Kent Police launched the Kent Autism Alert Card on 4th July 2008.
The card is available, free of charge, to anyone in Kent who has an Autism Spectrum Condition.
The scheme is administered and overseen by the Kent Autistic Trust.
The card is a red and white plastic card of the same size as a debit/credit card.
It has been designed to alert the police and other emergency services to the fact the holder have an Autism Spectrum Condition.
The card alerts the emergency services that the holder may have difficulty communicating and may appear anxious in unfamiliar surroundings or exhibit behaviour, which to the unaware, may seem strange and could be misinterpreted.
The card is likely to be of most benefit to those who access the community independently but could be helpful for those who usually have the support of a carer or parent particularly if they were lost. It is available to all ages
Application forms are available now. To receive an application form please phone or email me your name and address. Application forms can also be downloaded from the KAT website.

Family Services Leaflet
Download the Family Services leaflet here

Medway ASD Steering Group
Please see the attached letter and application form for parents who would like to be part of the Medway ASD Steering Group.
Both should be self-explanatory, but please contact Jo Blamires at KAT on 01634 405168 if there are any questions.

Bouncy Castle for hire
If you are organising a children's party, Kent Autistic Trust has a bouncy castle available for hire (to raise money for Family Support).
It can run on electricity or from a petrol generator.
If you are interested please contact Jacqui our receptionist 01634 405168
Cost is £30 per day.
(You need to be able to pick it up from our Gillingham Office, details on enquiry)