Speac

CAMPAIGNS

Feb 2008: Children's Commissioner Mrs Patricia Lewsley with nine year old Matthew Entwhistle a pupil at SPEAC the pilot school project set up for Children with Autism and severe learning difficulties. Mrs Lewsley was a guest of the SPEAC charity which is campaigning to secure long term funding following a report on  the success of the pilot project.

Pupils and parents welcomed Children’s Commissioner Mrs Patricia Lewsley to the SPEAC Centre, at Tor Bank Special School, Dundonald on, Friday 1st February. The Commissioner, who was a guest of the SPEAC Charity, was there to see at first hand the work and success of the educational facility set up just under three years ago as a pilot project.

SPEAC Chairman Brendan McGinn presented the Commissioner with a copy of the SPEAC Development Plan which sets out the review of the pilot project and the vision for the future.

Thanking the Commissioner for her interest in the project Mr McGinn said:“The SPEAC Centre is a great model for future services for children with Autism and Severe Learning Difficulties in Northern Ireland. Our aim now is to build on the success of the pilot and secure long term, public funding for a permanent centre”

Commenting on her visit Mrs Lewsley said:

“I’ve been impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication of the staff and all those associated with this unique project. This visit will help inform my thinking and I look forward to studying in detail the Charity’s plans for the future because this project gives many of these young people the opportunity for choice and independence”.