Member Article

Castlegate Staff Have Understanding Autism Training

STAFF at a Stockton shopping centre are helping people with autism and their carers.

Castlegate Shopping Centre undertook specialist training with local charity Daisy Chain to help make shopping an easier experience.

It means staff have been trained to help and support people with autism and their carers.

Frontline staff including Centre Managers, Security and Housekeeping all undertook the specialist training to help raise awareness of autism and reduce potential stress for shoppers with the condition.

Tracey Surtees, Acting Centre Manager, said: “What we are doing at Castlegate can make a visit to the shopping centre a more positive and enjoyable experience. That’s why we decided to ensure all our employees had training so they can help people with autism feel included and supported.

“Doing this training is a small thing for us, but we hope it makes a big difference” added Tracey.

During the training sessions staff were shown videos and carried out activities that helped give them a better understanding of the challenges facing people with autism and how they can give support during a visit to Castlegate.

Pauline Wright, Care Team Leader at Daisy Chain, said: “We have really enjoyed working with the Castlegate Shopping Centre to take their staff through the Autism awareness training.

“Our families are delighted that more people in the community are gaining awareness about Autism as it will make a big difference to them knowing that people understand the struggles that they face in public places.

“Our families look forward to being able to access a varied range of stores at the shopping centre knowing that they are being supported and not judged” added Pauline.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chantal Taylor .