John Enjoys a Holiday Break at the Kingwood Caravan
20 July 2026
Since joining Autism at Kingwood on 9th October 2023 I have never had a dull day! From going on a long walk with Eddy, to having cake with the ladies at Windrush, helping Ben at the allotment, sorting DVDs with Tony in White Barn, dancing with Tosha at my first Christmas party, and the joy of handing out the awards at our annual celebration. I have really enjoyed getting to know the amazing people we support. Their autistic uniqueness and individuality inspire every day. I have also had the pleasure of getting to know our families, and their lifelong commitment of love and support is truly humbling.
I have known our founder Dame Stephanie Shirley (Steve) for over 25 years and earlier this year it was my great privilege to sit down and speak with her about her amazing life, our shared journey with her charities and her hopes and aspirations for Kingwood in the future. She is such an inspiration to me personally and professionally. Even in her nineties Steve still challenges me to drive Kingwood forward and to do more!
The previous few years for had been very challenging for all social care organisations and for Kingwood in particular. However, over this year with the support of the senior team, we have been able to significantly improve the stability and sustainability of the charity.
This year, Kingwood’s 30th anniversary, we have launched our new strategy, with a real focus on autism expertise and knowledge. It has been wonderful to see so many of the staff attending the Structured Teaching training, which is part of the new Kingwood Autism Approach. This new training will ensure that all the people we support are able to lead fuller lives and be active members of their communities. The passion and energy of the staff team is amazing. The staffs’ care, compassion and resilience motivates me every day to ensure that kingwood is not only fit for the future but will be here for the next 30 years and beyond!
Thank you all for making my first year so wonderful, I look forward to many more years of working together with you to create a better future for the people we support.
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.
If you’d like to make a donation directly to us then you can do this in a number of ways.
You can fundraise for us, through sponsored events or in a number of other ways.