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I know from my own personal experience
how difficult life can be
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when you are looking after somebody
with complex needs and with autism
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and when they are out of routine
in the school holiday.
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I use the club myself for my own son
and he loves it there,
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and it's great that the other parents
have got those options as well
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and great that the children
have got the opportunity to play
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in a structured way because
play is very difficult for children with autism,
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to be in a comfortable environment,
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to be with people who understand
what their needs are as individuals,
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not just as a group, and
enjoy their time at the club.
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The impact Gwen has made
on making sure that families
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have access to the childcare
for their children has been enormous
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for many families.
If the holiday club wasn't available,
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many of these families would struggle
without the childcare and respite
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they need that can impact
other family members,
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so siblings of the children with
ASD would also require some support.
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So, it's had a huge impact on many families
that have been able to access
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the provision at Oak Hill ASD.
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The best thing about the job
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is when the parents
come back to you and say
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how much their children have enjoyed
their time at the club
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and what a relief it is to them
to have somewhere
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where they know their children
with all their complex needs
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are well supported
during the school holidays,
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which is a really difficult time
for children with autism.