South Yorkshire Autism Centre Set To Open

A £3 Million housing scheme for people with autism is to open in a South Yorkshire village next year.

Four houses are being built in Treeton, between Sheffield and Rotherham, which will provide a safe and secure home to 24 adults who have the disorder, which makes day to day living challenging.

The Rother Heights development, being created by the Autism Care UK organisation, has been set up to meet a demand for specialist housing for adults with the condition.

Due to a lack of specialist housing, it can be difficult for autistic young adults to move on from home and to live more independently from their families.

The new facilities have been set up as the city was seen as an ideal place for the scheme, because it offers residents access to education, leisure, sports and other social facilities.

Nick Hamilton, manager of Rother Heights, said: “We are getting a lot of referrals from the South Yorkshire region, as there is demand for our high quality autism service.”

He explained that the aim was to help people enjoy their lives and to have choices and options over what they do which other people take for granted.

The four houses in Treeton will each be home to six residents, who will all be over 18 and will live there for as long as they need to, supported by staff who will be available around the clock.

As autism varies from person to person, some sufferers are more able then others and, in time, may be able move on and live independently after gaining vital skills such as managing their bills. Others will need more intensive support over many years but will benefit from being able to enjoy their hobbies and interests, said Mr Hamilton.

Building work is due for completion in January and the first residents will move in during February.