Duncan (not their real name) has been attending one of Romsey Mill’s Aspire clubs, for autistic children and young people.  This is his story, which we originally shared as part of our Christmas Appeal 2024.

Initially, Duncan was very reluctant to join the youth club, he was visibly overwhelmed. He expressed a strong desire to leave during the first session and was very uneasy. The youth workers tried to help him settle but he ended up leaving the building and heading out to the car park to find his dad with the workers following to ensure he was safe. Prior to the session parents had shared that Duncan has on occasions tried to leave the site while at school so the youth workers were prepared.

Duncan showed signs of anxiety and was reluctant to engage with other young people. This has changed in a short space of time. He has integrated into the group. Youth workers initially met with him one-to-one giving him space to decide what he wanted to do. Slowly we were able to invite him to observe activities without pressuring him to get involved.

Duncan increasingly showed signs of growing confidence, engaging others in conversation and participating in games. Overtime Duncan has built very good connections socially with his peers, he is confident and comfortable to ask other young people to play certain games with him. He has developed a sense of belonging and values interaction with other young people and youth workers.

Although Duncan has struggled to adapt to the new year in school, his dad expressed gratitude that Duncan is able to develop social skills in the Aspire youth club and he is hopeful that Duncan will be able to take that into his day-to-day life especially at school.

In the summer, Duncan attended an Aspire group trip to somewhere he hadn’t previously been, but he approached it with confidence and was able to interact with other young people who he had not previously met.

Duncan is a great example of someone who has benefited from the Aspire youth club and has made improvements in their mental health.

Throughout the year, Romsey Mill engages with 2,500 local young people, children and families, supporting mental health and wellbeing through positive, relational youth and family work.  

Could you partner with us to help brighten a young person's future? 

Donate here!