Tag Archive for: Thank you

Lyke Wake Walk – Intrepid Explorers

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Celebrating Our 7 Little Rainbows

Tonight, seven amazing people are setting off to take on the Lyke Wake Walk, a gruelling 40-mile trek across the moors, walking through the night and into tomorrow,  all in support of MAIN, our charity for autistic, neurodiverse, learning disabled, and complex needs individuals based in North Ormesby.

There are 7 colours in a rainbow, and fittingly, we have 7 incredible individuals making this journey. Each one brings their own strength, spirit, and colour to everything we do, together, they form something truly powerful and beautiful.

These volunteers don’t just support MAIN, they are MAIN. Their hearts and souls are woven into our mission, and their dedication shines brighter than ever.

To our 7 little rainbows: thank you, good luck, and well done.  You’re walking for more than just miles, you’re walking for inclusion, for understanding, and for every life we touch.

We’re behind you every step of the way.

#7LittleRainbows #LykeWakeWalk #TeamMAIN #NeurodiversityMatters #WalkingForChange #ThankYou

Bon Voyage – Louisa

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Thank You, Louisa – Wishing You All the Best in Canada!

As we say goodbye to one of our wonderful team members, we also celebrate the journey she’s about to begin.

Louisa joined MAIN as an Outreach Worker in January 2023, bringing not only her skills and dedication but also a warmth and kindness that quickly made her an invaluable part of our team.  Having travelled from her home country of Nigeria with a Bachelors and Masters already in Geology, Louisa took up further studies at Teesside University, it is fair to say knowing Louisa that her journey has been one of determination, grace, and strength.

From day one, Louisa brought a quiet confidence, professionalism, and a truly beautiful spirit, inside and out. It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside her, but more than that, to know her, as the incredible person she is.

As she now emigrates to Canada to begin her next chapter, we want Louisa to know how deeply she will be missed. Your presence has left a lasting impression on us all, and you will always have a home at MAIN.

Wishing you and your family, every success and happiness in this exciting new chapter.  Canada is lucky to have you!

With love and thanks,
All of us at MAIN

Louisa’s email to all our staff, reads –

‘I am truly overwhelmed and deeply grateful for the kind words, the warm wishes and  genuine prayers. This touched my heart in ways I can’t fully express. Your kindness and love means more than words can say, and I feel so honored to have been part of such a supportive and caring team. My prayer for all is that this organization will continue to grow in unity, excellence, and fulfillment; that each member of this Beautiful team will find joy in their work, favor in every endeavor, and success that exceeds expectations. May the bonds we’ve built continue to strengthen, and may MAIN go from heights to to greater heights’.

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

 

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

thumbnail saying we are looking for volunteers

Volunteer Week 2025 – Thank YOU

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Title: Celebrating Our Volunteers – The Heart of Our Community

Volunteers are the unsung heroes behind every successful initiative, event, and act of kindness. Today, we want to take a moment to shine a spotlight on these incredible individuals who give so generously of their time, energy, and hearts.

Thank You for Your Dedication

Whether you’ve helped organise events, supported day-to-day operations, mentored others, or simply lent a helping hand when it was needed most, your impact has been immeasurable. Our mission thrives because of you. Every smile you have shared, every task you took on, and every moment you gave has helped create something meaningful and lasting.

Your Impact is Real

From the smallest acts to the biggest projects, volunteers make a tangible difference. You uplift communities, inspire others, and remind us that generosity and compassion are powerful forces for good. Without your selfless contributions, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

A Community Built on Kindness

Volunteering is more than just helping, it’s about building relationships, spreading hope, and creating a sense of belonging. You’ve helped us foster a strong, connected, and supportive community that we are so proud to be a part of.

With Deepest Gratitude

On behalf of our entire team, thank you for your unwavering support. We see you, we appreciate you, and we celebrate you. Your dedication is a gift, does not go unnoticed.

Here’s to you — our volunteers, our Trustees, our champions, our family.

With heartfelt thanks,

#TogetherRaisingSmiles

AMAZING Staff, doing AMAZING things for MAIN

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SPONSORED WALK ROUND-UP

In aid of MAIN ❤️

On Monday 2nd June, some of our amazing team took part in a fancy dress sponsored walk.

Thanks to the incredible kindness of our community, family, friends, colleagues, and the families of our service-users — we’re thrilled to share that we more than TRIPLED our fundraising target, raising an amazing £1,122!

Your generous donations will go directly toward enhancing the experiences of those we support, helping us invest in new sensory supplies, interactive tools, and calming spaces that will truly make a difference.

From every donation and share, to every kind word of encouragement, your support meant the world to us.  We simply couldn’t have done it without you.

Thank you for walking this journey with us. ❤️


#TogetherRaisingSmiles

#AutismAwareness #SponsoredWalk #ThankYou

 

 

Thank You – Skipton Building Society

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A heartfelt thank you to Skipton Building Society for selecting MAIN as your Charity of Choice.
We are truly grateful for your generous donation of Body Socks, which will make a meaningful difference to the children we support. Your kindness and commitment to our cause are deeply appreciated and will have a lasting impact.

In the photo are Victoria from Skipton Building Society, Josh, Heather, the CEO of MAIN and Tristan, taken in our new Pathways to Independence area , a space dedicated to helping our young people build essential life skills in a supportive environment.

#TogetherRaisingSmiles

 

Love heart art work

Post Diagnosis Support Service 2014 – 2025

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A Heartfelt Thank You as Our Post Diagnosis Service Transitions

Since 2014, MAIN has had the privilege of delivering the Post Diagnosis Support Service (PDSS), offering not just guidance, but a helping hand, a light at the end of what can often feel like a very dark tunnel. Most importantly, PDSS has stood for respect, understanding, and positivity; values we have always held at the heart of everything we do.

As of 1st June 2025, this vital service will be moving to a new provider.

Over the past 11 years, our dedicated PDSS team — Kimberley, Melissa, Philip, Katherine, Pippa, Lewis, Daisy and Stephen,  have directly supported more than a thousand individuals, along with their loved ones and professionals. Each of them brought compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to every person they supported.

To our autistic community: thank you. Thank you for the trust you placed in us, and for allowing us to be part of your journey. It has been a genuine honour.

At MAIN, we have always treated every individual as just that — an individual. That will never change. While the PDSS will now continue under different leadership, our passion for supporting the neurodivergent community remains stronger than ever.

We would also like to take this opportunity to wish our Durham autistic community the very best for the future.

If you have any enquiries about the Post Diagnosis Support Service after 31st May 2025, please contact:

Durham County Council
Commissioning Policy and Planning Officer
Adult and Health Services
Tel: 03000 268407

With heartfelt gratitude,
The MAIN Team