John Enjoys a Holiday Break at the Kingwood Caravan
20 July 2026
Last Friday, Reading held the 17th Pride of Reading awards, this year honouring front line workers, and we are beyond proud to announce that Autism at Kingwood Area Manager, Sarah Shield, won the inspiration award.
Sarah has been an integral member of the Autism at Kingwood team for seven years, but started her career as a social care worker for autistic people when she was 18 years-old, 15 years ago. Sarah, who was born, raised and has lived in Reading all her life, works hard to provide truly person-centred support for adults, ensuring they are able to lead the lives they choose.
Sarah is an excellent manager, with incredible attention to detail and motivates her team through sound leadership. However, she really excels at working directly with autistic people – and maintains a personal relationship with all the autistic people we support in Reading. Sarah was pivotal in setting up our Transition centre in Whitley, providing a supported living house for local and very vulnerable young adults who are transitioning from their residential school or care setting.
Sarah has also found time to develop a Friday night social club in central Reading for autistic adults (not just Autism at Kingwood beneficiaries), and raise funds for improvement to the homes she manages.
Most recently, Sarah has become the lead for our specialist Transforming Lives Team, which has been sought out by local authorities to successfully transition autistic adults from inappropriate long-term inpatient care to living in the community.
Congratulations Sarah, for this very well deserved accolade!
View Sarah talking about her award (1 minute 22 seconds in)
Visit Get Reading for the more on the Pride of Reading Awards
We provide supported living and outreach support, helping and enabling autistic people to live in their own homes and make their own choices about the lives they want to lead.
Our relationship with the families of those we support is incredibly important to us and we work in partnership with families wherever possible.
All Autism at Kingwood support staff receive our Specialist Autism Training, making us leading care providers in Autism support.
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