Autism Packs Available

AUTISM Packs, which include ear defenders, fidget spinners, sensory ball, Autism Awareness card and lanyard, as well as further match-day information, will be available to people living with autism, their families and carers at Home Park Stadium during the 2019-20 Sky Bet League Two campaign.

Provided by Argyle Community Trust, the Autism Packs are designed to improve the match-day experience and are part of the Club’s commitment to be more autism-friendly.

The packs have been designed for supporters, particularly those with Autism, who attend matches, to make the match-day experience more accessible, comfortable and enjoyable.

The Autism Packs are completely free of charge and will be available throughout the 2019-20 season. They can be collected on match-day or earlier in the week from the Argyle Superstore at Home Park.

Once supporters have received their pack, they are encouraged to continue to bring it back with them to all future games they attend. There are a limited number of packs available, which will be issued on a first come, first served basis.

Furthermore, the Community Trust continues to offer multi-sport and football activity sessions with Plymouth City Council as part of the Short Breaks scheme. Every school half term and through the summer, the Trust welcomes children, aged 7 – 14 years old, with autism or ADHD to Home Park to play games and make new friends.

For those who wish to play more competitively, the Ability Counts sessions offers an opportunity for both men and women to play football. The over 16 sessions are held every Wednesday 7.30pm – 9pm at the newly opened Manadon Sports and Community Hub in Plymouth and at Goals every Tuesday 5.30 – 6.30pm for 5-16 year olds.

The sessions are designed specifically for people living with autism, their families and carers. Please visit www.argylecommunitytrust.co.uk for more information.

Steve Helley, chairman of the Plymouth Argyle Disabled Supporters Association, said: “We are extremely pleased that Plymouth Argyle and Argyle Community Trust has introduced Autism Packs to improve the match-day experience for people living with autism, their families and carers.

“The Football Club has made a significant accommodation for supporters living with autism by introducing the Autism Packs, and along with the hearing loops and audio descriptive service of games, they are ensuring that people living with autism, their families and carers are all fully included in the Club.

“Plymouth Argyle is one of the first clubs in League Two to have an autism-friendly environmental audit of their entire stadium and have taken great strides to ensure they are a fully inclusive organisation who provide facilities that meet the needs of the whole community. We are proud to be associated with the Club and fully endorse this latest initiative.”

People living with autism, their families and carers can arrange to visit Home Park ahead of a match-day to learn more about the Club’s facilities. Please email nikki.francis@pafc.co.uk or call 01752 562 561 for further information.

You can access a digital guide by clicking here.