January Charity Spotlight: The Autism Trust
This month, we are proud to spotlight The Autism Trust, a charity dedicated to supporting families and empowering young adults on the autism spectrum to build confidence, independence, and meaningful futures. At the heart of their work is a simple but powerful vision: to create “a future with purpose” for every individual, regardless of age, ability, race, faith, or gender.
A Vision Rooted in Opportunity
The Autism Trust focuses on providing employment, vocational, and independent living training that enables autistic individuals to lead fulfilling lives and make positive contributions to society. By offering tailored, autism-specific support, the charity helps young adults develop practical skills, self-belief, and a sense of achievement – foundations that are essential for long-term independence and wellbeing.
Founded from Personal Experience
The charity was founded in 2007 by Polly Tommey, following the diagnosis of her son, Billy, with autism. Motivated by her personal journey, Polly became a passionate advocate, launching campaigns to raise awareness and promote understanding of autism. What began as a personal mission has since grown into a respected organisation making a lasting impact on individuals, families, and communities.
Polly’s Place: Creativity, Skills, and Confidence
In June 2012, The Autism Trust established its UK headquarters in Sunninghill, complete with Polly’s Place Shop & Gallery – a social enterprise showcasing handmade products and artwork created by people with autism and related conditions, alongside their families. These creations highlight not only talent and creativity, but also the confidence and pride that come from meaningful work.
The building also served as a training centre, where young adults with autism could practice vocational skills, gain job training, and take part in work experience. Many participants had the opportunity to work towards ASDAN certificates, supporting both personal development and employability.
Growing to Meet a Greater Need
By June 2015, the charity had outgrown its Sunninghill premises and moved to a larger, more accessible location in the heart of Camberley, Surrey. This move marked a significant milestone, raising the charity’s profile and expanding its ability to deliver outreach training. With more space and greater visibility, The Autism Trust was able to support a larger number of individuals in need of bespoke, autism-specific training – both in person and online.
Today, Polly’s Place in Camberley continues to provide employment and independent living training opportunities, helping young adults on the autism spectrum develop real-world skills in a supportive and understanding environment.
Looking to the Future
The Autism Trust’s ambitions extend even further. Its next phase envisions the creation of a new residential and outreach centre, offering expert services for adults with autism and related disabilities. This centre would support health and wellbeing, maximise individual skills and talents, and provide opportunities for work and residential living – all with the aim of enabling autistic adults to be healthy, happy, safe, and empowered to live lives that are not yet widely available to them today.
How You Can Help
By supporting The Autism Trust, you help create opportunities where creativity is celebrated, skills are nurtured, and futures are built with purpose. Explore Polly’s Place Shop & Gallery, learn more about their training programmes, and discover how you can get involved in supporting this vital work.
Together, we can help ensure that young adults on the autism spectrum are given the opportunities they deserve – to thrive, contribute, and live meaningful lives. 💙
