PICTURES: Craft day is success for Nairn autism charity
A day of crafts and fun activities in Nairn helped raise almost £800 for a local charity to mark autism awareness month.
The Nairn branch of the National Autistic Society (NAS), run by volunteers Sarah Coulson and her daughter Susannah, organise free, monthly drop-in sessions for neurodivergent children and their families, with people from Inverness, Grantown and Moray attending.
They organised a craft fair at Nairn Community and Arts Centre to raise funds to run the sessions as well as raise awareness of the sessions they provide in the local community.
NAS Nairn volunteer Sarah Coulson said they were very happy with the event.
“Everyone enjoyed it and we raised £635 plus received a donation of £130, so we're happy with that,” she said.
“We gave each stall holder a feedback form and all the responses have said they enjoyed the event, they thought it was very well organised, a friendly atmosphere and they're keen for me to make it a bi-annual event. We're planning to do the next one on either October 26 or November 2.
“Other positives to come from the event are that several new families plan to attend our monthly drop-in sessions. They'd not known of our group before, one couple found it encouraging to see some of our young people at the event and to know that their family is not alone.”
Farm Ness, which donated a family pass to the raffle held on the day, have also asked for advice and staff training to make their business more autism friendly.
“As April was autism awareness month these are great results from having organised the craft fair,” Ms Coulson continued.
“We're very grateful to all the lovely stall holders, the staff at Nairn Community and Arts Centre who are so helpful and supportive, and for the generosity of the businesses who donated some wonderful raffle prizes.”
