Autism service set to close after nearly 50 years

A charity that provides support to children with autism and their families is set to close after 48 years.

Autism Family Support Oxfordshire (AFSO) announced on Monday that it would be closing as a registered charity at the end of March.

The charity, which helps more than 4,000 families, said its proposed closure was due to a "a significant fundraising deficit that has made it impossible to sustain" its mission.

It said the closure would go ahead next month "unless a funder, organisation or benefactor steps forward to secure the continuation of services".

A spokesperson for the charity's trustees said its closure had been an "incredibly painful decision".

"We are so proud of what AFSO has meant to families over the past 48 years, and deeply grateful to everyone who has walked alongside us on this journey," they said.

"Its impact has been felt across generations, and its loss would be deeply felt by the community it has served."

"Our priority is to support people with compassion, as we prepare to say goodbye."

AFSO provides support, advice and services for families - including youth clubs, holiday activities, and training for parents, young people and professionals.

NHS and private clinics refer families to the service when a child is diagnosed or is awaiting an autism assessment.

The service said it received 30 new referrals each month, with 92% of parents who receive support from AFSO going on to use the charity's services repeatedly.

It added that those who had donated to a fundraising drive to keep the service open earlier this year would receive a refund by the end of March.

The service's proposed closure comes just months after the charity Autism Oxford UK - which offered similar services to AFSO - suddenly shut due to financial pressures.

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