WREXHAM AFC has yet again received an Autism Friendly Award, recognising its continued work to support and include autistic people and their families.
The football club became the first in Wales – and indeed the first business in Wrexham – to receive the award, when they were first recognised in 2018.
The award has now been renewed by the National Autistic Society, with the latest acknowledgement focusing on key areas including how to provide customer services, information and environments, which are accessible and inclusive for autistic people.
Kerry Roberts, Chair of the Wrexham National Autistic Society branch, presented the new award to the Club upon visiting for a match last season.
And Wrexham AFC Disability Liaison Officer, Kerry Evans, said: “The Football Club are delighted to have recently renewed our Autism Friendly award with the National Autistic Society."
READ MORE
- Premier League cult hero says he'd 'love to' sign for Wrexham
- WATCH: Ryan's message as fundraiser collects over £10,000 in memory of Aaron Wharton
- The 'other Wrexham' football club left 'thrilled' as Ryan Reynolds dons their shirt
Kerry added: "We first gained our award in 2018 and were very proud to be the first Club in Wales to obtain such an award, and the first business in Wrexham.
“We are fully committed to continuing our partnership with the National Autistic Society to offer the very best match-day experience for fans attending Wrexham AFC.”
The Racecourse Ground features an autism-friendly quiet zone, in section PG1 of the Macron Stand, as well as a waitress service, familiar-face stewards and a sensory room to ensure supporters with autism can attend and enjoy matches.
In addition, the club organises quiet walkabout sessions so that supporters can familiarise themselves with the stadium and the lay-out away from a busy matchday.
Wrexham also has autism-friendly football sessions in every school holiday, with the latest sessions scheduled for the forthcoming half-term break – you can find more details here.
(L-R): Stephane Guidon, Senior Branch Engagement Officer- Wales and Kerry Roberts, Chair of the Wrexham National Autistic Society branch, present the Autism Friendly Award to Kerry Evans, Disability Liaison Officer at Wrexham AFC,
Christine Flintoff-Smith, Head of Autism Accreditation at the National Autistic Society, said: “We’re delighted to announce that Wrexham AFC is one of the first organisations to receive our brand-new Autism Friendly Award.
“Each venue that achieves the Autism Friendly Award will be helping to make the UK a more autism-friendly place by opening their doors to autistic people and their families.
“There are lots of small changes which businesses can make to better support autistic people, and just a little understanding can go a long way.
“We’re looking forward to working with as many businesses as possible to help create a society that works for autistic people.”
For more information on autism-friendly football at Wrexham AFC, contact Kerry Evans on kerry.evans@wrexhamafc.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here