A popular Autism group for the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough have announced their regrettable closure with immediate effect.
The ABC Autism Group made the announcement via social media on Monday (August 10) with “regret and sadness”.
Explaining the reasons for their decision, the group said: “Recent efforts to bolster our committee due to an unsustainable workload/manpower imbalance, have been unsuccessful and we have now reached the point where we are below the legal minimum we need to continue operations.
“We were led to believe we were being given time to try and save the group, but this possibility has now been taken away from us.”
The group were scheduled to host a swimming session on Tuesday (August 11) and a W5 trip on August 23, however, both have sadly now been cancelled with full refunds being issues to attendees in the coming days for any deposits paid.
“There are a few formalities the remaining committee need to go through to wind the group up and this may take a couple of months but for all intents and purposes, the shutters are coming down today,” they said.
“Thanks to everyone who has been a part of this group over the last 11 years, we’ve made so many wonderful friends, connections and memories which we will always treasure and we are sad to have to leave you all behind. We’re sure we will see many of you out and about over the coming years and we look forward to that.
“For now though, it sadly has to be goodbye from ABC Autism Group.
“Love and best wishes from all of the remaining committee members, Kirsty, Warren, Karla and Charlie.”
Described by one as a “Godsend” for their family, it’s clear that their kindness and compassion, together with the frequent fun events they ran, will be wholeheartedly missed by all.
One service user said: “Firstly Thank You for everything over the past years and secondly we are absolutely gutted but completely understand the reason behind this.
“This group has given such an amazing support with no judgement and has treated everyone with great understanding and encouragement throughout all get together and special occasions.
“We will all be sorry to see it go but also feel so blessed to have been involved with caring and considerate people who are all in the same boat and it was a privilege to have drunk blue tea with you all during the Covid days when zoom games was another way to support one another.
“I’m thankful to have been a part of your amazing 11 years, to bucket collecting, swimming, movie watching, silent disco dancing, trips to the zoo, picnics in Lurgan park, kite flying the list goes on and the memories will last a lifetime xx.”
