REGULAR Chronicle readers will be familiar with the growing work of the Autism Allotments which in less than a year has been converted from a fly-tipping haven into a safe sensory garden for youngsters with additional needs.
Run by the loving dads of autistic twins, Michael and Paul Atwal-Brice began the community space on Togo Street in Thurnscoe when they took over maintenance of Michael’s dad’s allotment.
Seeing how the surrounding plots had grown unkempt and were covered in fly-tipping and brambles, the pair came up with the idea to create an allotment like no other - filled with sensory experiences and opportunities where autistic visitors could be themselves.
Michael told the Chronicle: “Obviously we’ve got our two boys who’ve got extreme autism.
“Now they’re out of school we’ve seen how there’s less and less activities designed for their needs.
“So we thought about having a space where people won’t judge them - we’ve had it before where they’ll make a sound because they’re non-verbal or have a breakdown in a supermarket and people will just think they’re misbehaving.
“They don’t have to worry about that here”
The wheelchair-accessible space is open to anyone and plans are in place to expand and help make people with other disabilities feel just as comfortable.
But Michael thanks the volunteers who even through the bitterly cold winter came out to help make this dream a reality.
“The demand is a lot greater than what we thought it would be,” he added.
“We’ve had so much support from local people and businesses who chipped in to get it all up and running.
“A lot of the time people with additional needs won’t get accepted for opportunities even if they’re offering to volunteer so find it hard to get any experience.
“It now really seems to have taken off.”
The allotment has already received support from local schools, the council and MP for Barnsley South Stephanie Peacock and can now add a Proud of Barnsley nomination to their list of achievements.
“It’s really nice that the people who’ve come every single week no matter the weather are getting recognised.
“The Chronicle has been really good to us and that coverage helps us move forward.
“Companies have seen us in the paper or on ITV and want to jump on board to help.”
