Sofia Quereshi and Joywin DeAraujo are DFN Project SEARCH interns, and as part of their ‘rotations’ are spending time with the Council’s communications team.
They visited Hounslow’s Community Access Service (CAS), to find out more about this innovative service for residents who are autistic or have a mild to moderate learning disability.
What is CAS?
Hounslow’s Community Access Service (CAS) is a group for young adults who have a learning disability or autism. CAS provides opportunities to come together and make friends, learn new skills, stay healthy and make good choices.
Meet Kiran
Kiran is a bubbly 27-year-old woman from Hounslow who has been attending the group for nearly four years. She is a great example of what local people can gain from getting involved.
“I heard about CAS through a friend and have really enjoyed it. I’ve gained new skills and learned a lot from going to women’s groups. I’ve also had work experience with the NHS, helping to design easy read apps.”
How CAS supports people
Alarbi Dauki is the Community Access Service Team Leader and he explains how the service supports people like Kiran:
“CAS is quite a unique service. It provides group support for adults living in Hounslow who are autistic or have a mild to moderate learning disability. Here they have a drop-in space, which they come to twice a week, and it’s completely community based.
“They spend most of their time travelling about the borough and even into London and around to other places, to have adventures and volunteer.
“It's quite ambitious and it's all co-produced. Everything that's in their monthly planner is in there because the members want it to be in there. Every month, they come together as a group, and they decide what's going to be happening. So, it creates an inclusive, very friendly, community that works for them.”
“It’s a wonderful service. It helps our guys get social, increases their independence and offers opportunities to make friends and visit new places. We’ve been all over London from the Science Museum to China Town!”
CAS is an amazing opportunity for young adults with learning disabilities and autism. From visiting them, you can really see how it genuinely helps them with their independence and confidence.
Find out more: community.provisions@hounslow.gov.uk / 07973 763932
Interested in DFN Project SEARCH? Apply now and join us at April’s Skills and Assessment day
