Meeting train driver is ‘dream come true’ for person we support

STAFF from our Autism Training & Advisory Service (ATAS) arranged for a visit with Merseyrail so that Laura could meet a ‘real life’ train driver – something she has always wanted to do!

Yvonne from ATAS said:

“We met Jan (manager of the train guards) at New Brighton train station. Jan was delighted to meet Laura and gave her some goodies including a furry train, a keyring and a Merseyrail cap.

“The train pulled in and Steve the train driver met with Laura. Steve has been a train driver for 36 years and Laura was invited into the driver’s cabin which is not usually open to members of the pubic.

“Then she met Craig, the chief guard, who let Laura hold the ‘Tee key’ which is used to unlock all the train doors.

“Laura was so excited and so happy, it was a very joyous occasion for everyone.”

Well done Laura, and big thanks to Merseyrail for making her day.

AS we begin 2023, I am looking forward, with hope, to a year filled with positivity and growth for Autism Together, leaving the trials and struggles of the pandemic behind us.

As I looked back on 2022, I reflected on yet another challenging year. While it started with high levels of Covid across our services, it was encouraging that, sofar this winter, we have seen low-levels of infection, and have at last been able to announce the end of mask-wearing, except in outbreak situations.

I must tell you now that this will be my final column in these pages, as I am stepping down from my role as CEO of Autism Together at the end of January. When I took on the chief executive role back in autumn of 2019, I could not have expected that I would be steering the organisation through some of its toughest challenges and hardest days.

I have been so proud to be CEO of such a brilliant staff team

But I am immensely proud to have been able to work alongside such a dedicated group of staff and management. People are what makes an organisation and I have been so proud to be CEO of such a brilliant and genuinely committed staff team.

The past 3 years have seen wonderful team spirit and cooperation shown right across our services. Summing up our amazing staff is this comment from a parent of someone we support, who said: “I am forever grateful to the caring, patient, inciteful, creative, cheerful staff!” I couldn’t have put it better myself. And I’d like to say a special thank you to the people we support for inspiring me each day with their creativity, spirit, and desire to experience all that life can bring them, thanks to the daily support and care given by our wonderful staff.