I was really pleased to be back at Polaris House here in Swindon on Friday, which is the headquarters of UK Research and Innovation, with all of the different research councils headquartered here in our hometown. It is the place where the Space Agency is based, it is the heart of research and development, and evidence-based initiatives that are all about the economy of the future. It was great to visit the team at UKRI again and learn more about how future generations are going to work to grow our economy. UKRI is an exciting place, full of brilliant ideas, and I am proud to have it, right here in the heart of Swindon.
Following this, I was very pleased to be back at Swindon UTC with Lord Baker, the man who, together with Lord Dearing, set up the Baker Dearing Trust, to create the network of technical colleges that we now have across the country. UTC is an excellent college that encourages and develops the growth of skills, which leads to degree apprenticeships, jobs, and the new economy of tomorrow.
Set up around ten years ago, The UTC has really taken flight in the last few years, under inspiring leadership. It was great to see the students so infused and learning about new technology together and developing the future skills of tomorrow.
As part of World Autism Acceptance Week 2023, I have been sharing some simple ways in which we can all promote autism acceptance. These tips are from the charity Neurodiversity in Business, who I work closely with on my ongoing campaign to close the employment gap for those with autism and other neurodiverse conditions:
- Remember: No one ‘looks’ autistic. It’s not a compliment to be told somebody 'doesn’t look autistic'.
- Don’t stare/point/laugh at children in distress. An autistic meltdown is not a tantrum or attention-seeking.
- "Nonspeaking” does not mean “non-thinking”, “non-feeling” or “non-understanding”.
- Remember that there are many positives! There is a truly unique joy in a child who has such pure intentions.
- Encourage your child to befriend the kid in class who has no friends. Explain that children whose brains are built differently are different, not less.
- Support our growth and our small victories. Cheer with us as we celebrate little milestones!
- Autistic children become autistic adults – learn from autistic adults and take actions to be a better ally.
- Support autistic adults into your workplace. The employment gap for autistic people is shocking, and businesses can do better at pro-actively hiring autistic talent.
Finally, my local charity of the week is the brilliant Swindon and District Samaritans. Located in central Swindon, the branch has been running for almost sixty years, meaning that the team has a wealth of local understanding that enables them to reach out locally to everyone who needs them. Swindon Samaritans have a team of around 110 listening volunteers and around 20 support volunteers, who live and work across the area.
Alongside answering calls and emails from people who need their support, Swindon Samaritans are also active in the community, attending local events to raise awareness. Volunteers are also available to deliver presentations about their work and emotional health to schools, workplaces, clubs, and organisations.
Swindon Samaritans are always looking for listening volunteers and recruit and train listening volunteers twice a year. To find out more about becoming a volunteer with Swindon Samaritans, please visit the website here https://www.samaritans.org/branches/swindon/ and click “volunteer at this branch”.
You can also support Swindon Samaritans by volunteering or shopping at the charity’s shop in Curtis Street https://www.samaritans.org/branches/swindon/swindon-samaritans-news/samaritan-charity-shop/
