Tag Archive for: Community Support

Thank you, Celestial Windows Middlesbrough

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A Massive THANK YOU 💙

We would like to send our heartfelt thanks to Thomas’s mum and family.

Grandad Alan, who owns Celestial Windows, in Middlesbrough have again shown their generosity, by donating lots of toys, arts and crafts sets, and baking ingredients that will bring so much joy to our children and young people,, especially as we head into the Christmas holiday season.

MAIN is incredibly blessed to have such strong and caring support from our community. Thomas, who attends MAIN, is part of a loving and supportive family who continually go above and beyond to help ensure our spaces remain happy, inclusive, and welcoming for everyone. Their kindness and thoughtfulness never go unnoticed.

This is not the first time Celestial Windows have stepped up for MAIN. Earlier this year, when our hosepipe and mounting were stolen, Alan (Grandad) immediately sprang into action, arranging for one of his staff members to come over with a replacement, no hesitation, just genuine care and community spirit.

Now, as Christmas approaches, we are overwhelmed by the generosity shown once again. The toys and resources donated will help us create magical moments, spark creativity, and ensure our children and young people can enjoy festive activities together in a safe and nurturing environment.

Support like this truly highlights the power of local people supporting local causes. It is partnerships and kindness like this that allow MAIN to continue raising smiles, building confidence, and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.

From all of us at MAIN, thank you for your continued support, generosity, and belief in what we do. You are helping us make a real difference, and for that, we are deeply grateful. 💙

The Autism Act 2009 and the new autism strategy – Time to Deliver

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Let’s hope this actually does what it says on the tin, real, meaningful support for our autistic & neurodiverse community.

The House of Lords committee has just published their report “Time to deliver: The Autism Act 2009 and the new autism strategy”, calling for urgent, concrete action.

They highlight that more than 200,000 people are currently waiting for autism assessments.

They’re demanding a costed, deliverable plan for the next strategy (which needs to launch by July 2026) with real accountability.

They also stress the need for meaningful involvement of autistic people in every stage of designing and delivering this strategy.
UK Parliament Committees

Training must be expanded for public-facing staff, and there must be better support for autistic people in the criminal justice system.
UK Parliament Committees

Why this matters:
For too long, policy has been made for autistic people not with them. According to the report, successive governments have failed to deliver on real change. This isn’t just about “nice words” it’s about building a system that works, assessment, support, employment, health, justice all of it.

https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/770/autism-act-2009-committee/news/210570/autism-act-committee-report-publication/

Thank you Stockton City The Smoggies Football Club

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A Huge Thank You from MAIN!

This weekend, MAIN Charity, which supports autistic, neurodiverse, learning disabled and complex needs individuals from 5 years upwards, were honoured to be welcomed to a fantastic charity football match organised by Dalton Storey, a young man who truly shines with enthusiasm and care for his community. ⚽

Congratulations to Stockton City ‘The Smoggies’ for winning the game, and a massive thank you to everyone who came along and helped raise £225.95 from ticket sales on the door!

But Dalton didn’t stop there, he also organised a brilliant Race Night at The Moline Cross, raising a further £100,00, to support our amazing charity.

Special thanks also go to:
Linda Dickinson, Interim Chair and Trustee, who came along in support
My lovely granddaughter Laila, who braved the weather to cheer on the teams
Leanne and Tracey for attending the Race Night and showing their support

It’s heart warming to see such great people coming together with love and dedication to support MAIN.

#ThankYou #CommunitySpirit #CharitySupport #Neurodiversity #TeamMAIN #Fundraising #TogetherRaisingSmiles

Thank You, Skipton Building Society

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Support MAIN by Popping into Skipton Building Society – Your Vote Could Make All the Difference!

Dear friends and supporters,

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news!

MAIN – is a local charity dedicated to supporting autistic, neurodiverse, learning disabled and or complex needs from aged 5 years into adulthood and their families in the Tees Valley – has been selected as one of just three local causes to take part in Skipton Building Society’s Community Giving Scheme, nominated by the Middlesbrough branch. This means we now have the chance to receive up to £1,000 in funding – but we need your help to make it happen.

How It Works

From Monday 8th September to Friday 3rd October 2025, anyone who pops into a Skipton Building Society branch can cast a vote for MAIN – taking autism personally.

  • 1st place: £1,000

  • 2nd place: £600

  • 3rd place: £400

Just by voting, you’re helping MAIN secure vital funding – and every single vote counts.

Why Vote for MAIN?

MAIN exists to make life better for autistic children, young people, and adults, and the families who care for them. MAIN run a range of respite support provisions from group activities to 1:1 support in the community, we’re here every step of the way. This funding will help us continue offering tailored support where it’s needed most, right here in our community.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Middlesbrough branch of Skipton Building Society for this opportunity, and to every single person who takes the time to pop in and cast their vote for us.

Where to Vote:

Skipton Building Society, Middlesbrough Branch
Voting is open Monday 8th September – Friday 3rd October 2025 (until 4:30pm)

Let’s spread the word, get voting, and show just how much support MAIN has across Teesside!

Thank you for standing with us.

Warm wishes,
Team MAIN

 

main-quiet-room-1

Thank You, Zetland FM and all the lovely listeners!

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We want to say a very big thank you to Dave from Zetland FM for so generously giving us airtime to promote our fundraising efforts for the Quiet Room.

Your support truly means the world to us.

Play the audio interview full clip:

We’re raising funds as part of a project very close to our hearts at MAIN, a local charity that supports children, young people, and adults who are autistic, neurodiverse, on the pathway, have a learning disability and or complex needs. Some of the amazing children we work with experience behaviours that can be challenging at times, often as a result of sensory overload, anxiety, or difficulties in processing the world around them.

That’s why we are working hard to create a Quiet Room, a safe, calming, and therapeutic space where our young people can retreat when things become overwhelming. The room has been carefully designed with soft lighting, sensory tools, and comforting furnishings to help reduce anxiety and support emotional regulation. It’s not just a room, it’s a sanctuary where children can feel safe, supported, and understood.

Having a platform like Zetland FM to raise awareness of this vital project helps us connect with more people in our community who may wish to support, donate, or simply learn more about what we do. With every kind word shared and every donation made, we are one step closer to making this vision a reality.

Thank you again, Dave and everyone at Zetland FM, for helping us spread the word. Together, we are building something truly meaningful for the children who need it most.

#Togetherraisingsmiles

Read more about MAIN’s mission to raise funds for the new Quiet Room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Henry

Thank You, Henry – for Being a Star in Our Fundraising Challenge

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At MAIN, we believe that every child and young person should have access to a space where they feel safe, calm, and truly understood.

That’s why we’re raising funds to create a Quiet Room, a peaceful sanctuary for those moments when the world becomes overwhelming.

But turning this vision into reality takes incredible people. That’s where Henry comes in.

Henry is more than just a fundraiser, he’s an inspiration. As a young autistic person who attends our Thursday Afterschool Club, Henry understands just how important it is to have a space to re-regulate, to breathe, and to feel secure. And now, he’s doing something extraordinary to help others find that same sense of calm.

His energy, compassion, and determination are helping us move closer to building the Quiet Room, one step, one donation, one moment at a time.

Henry, we can’t thank you enough.
Thank you for your kindness.
Thank you for using your voice to speak up for others.
Thank you for showing everyone what true community and courage look like.

With your help, we’re creating more than a room, we’re creating possibility. A space where anxiety can ease, senses can settle, and young people can find the calm they need.

To everyone reading:
Let’s rally behind Henry. Let’s support his incredible efforts and bring this Quiet Room to life. Every donation, every share, every show of support makes a real difference.

Please donate to Henry’s #GoFundMePage

Let’s make this happen, for Henry, for our children and young people, and for a future that embraces every individual with understanding and care.

With heartfelt gratitude,
The MAIN Team.

Henry

Read more about MAIN’s mission to raise funds for the new Quiet Room

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAIN-CEO-Heather-Whyman-is-hoping-to-transform-storeroom-to-Quiet-Room.-Photo-by-Dawn-McNamara-scaled

Urgent funds needed for ‘vital’ safe space in Middlesbrough

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Urgent funds needed for ‘vital’ safe space in Middlesbrough

It will be a quiet room for children in heightened emotional states

People in Teesside are being urged to help create a safe quiet space for children in heightened emotional states.

Middlesbrough-based charity MAIN, which supports children and adults who are autistic, neurodivergent, have a learning disability or complex needs, urgently needs £25,000 to build the room.

 

Read the full article on the Hits Radio website

MAIN-CEO-Heather-Whyman-is-hoping-to-transform-storeroom-to-Quiet-Room.-Photo-by-Dawn-McNamara-scaled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author: Karen Liu. Photo ©Dawn McNamara.

Thank you Teesside Millions and the Lt Col Cohen Fund

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A Heartfelt Thank You to Teesside Millions and the Lt Col Cohen Distribution Fund

We are thrilled to announce some incredible news, our application to Teesside Millions and the Lt Col Cohen Distribution Fund has been successful!

Thanks to their generous support, we have been awarded a grant of £3,000 to help fund our upcoming project. This funding is a huge boost and will make a real difference to the work we’re doing in our community.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Teesside Millions, the grant-giving service of the Tees Foundation, and to all the supporters and donors who made this possible. Your investment in grassroots projects like ours means the world, and it enables real change where it’s needed most.

We’re excited to get started and look forward to sharing our progress with you. Be sure to follow us on our journey and we’ll be tagging the Tees Foundation on our social media so you can see how your support is making a difference. You can find them on Facebook at Tees Foundation, give them a follow to keep up with all the amazing work they’re doing across the region.

To the team at Tees Foundation – thank you once again for believing in our vision. With your help, we’re one step closer to making it a reality.

Stay tuned – great things are coming!

#TogetherRaisingSmiles

Great Achievement

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Celebrating Sam’s University Success!

We’re absolutely thrilled to celebrate an incredible milestone — Sam has graduated from Teesside University with a well-deserved 2:1 in History! His hard work, commitment, and passion for the past have all paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder of what he’s achieved.

Studying History is no easy feat — it takes deep thinking, critical analysis, and a real love for storytelling and understanding the world around us. Sam has shown all of that and more throughout his time at university.

Now, with his degree in hand, Sam is setting his sights on a future that connects his passion for history with his career goals. His dream? To work in a museum, where he can help bring the past to life for others, share knowledge, and continue learning every day.

We’re so excited to see where this next chapter takes him. With his enthusiasm, dedication, and love of history, we know he’ll be a fantastic asset to any museum team.

Congratulations, Sam — your future is looking bright, and we’re cheering you on every step of the way!

#TogetherRaisingSmiles

CANCELLED – MAIN invite you to our Summer Fayre, August 30th 2025

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DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES WE ARE CANCELLING THIS YEAR’S SUMMER FAYRE.

Join Us for a Day of Summer Fun – Supporting MAIN

We’re excited to invite you to our Summer Fayre on Friday, August 30th – a fantastic day out for the whole family in support of MAIN, our autism charity dedicated to empowering autistic individuals, those with learning disabilities, and or with additional complex needs.

This is more than just a summer event – it’s a chance to come together, have fun, and raise much-needed funds for our charity.

What to Expect:

Face Painting – Transform into your favourite character or animal with our talented face painter
Bouncy Castles – Let the kids bounce their hearts out in our fun and safe inflatable play zones
BBQ – Enjoy delicious food hot off the grill (including veggie options) – come hungry!
️ Tombola & Raffles – Try your luck and win amazing prizes
️ Stalls & Local Crafts – Browse unique goods from local makers and pick up some special finds
Sensory-Friendly Spaces – As an autism charity, we’ll have quiet areas and inclusive activities to ensure everyone feels welcome and comfortable

Whether you’re a family looking for a fun day out, a supporter of the cause, or just someone who loves a good BBQ and a bouncy castle, there’s something for everyone!

Save the Date: Saturday 30th August 2025
Time: 13:00 – 16:00
Location: Finlay Cooper Centre, TS3 6EN

Support Our Work

All funds raised on the day will go directly towards our autism services, helping us continue our vital work across the local community.

If you can’t attend but would still like to support MAIN, we are gratefully accepting donations.

Get in Touch: info@iammain.org.uk
Call Us: 01642 608012

#TogetherRaisingSmiles