1:58pm Tuesday 9th March 2010
By Sarah Cosgrove
AUTISTIC youngsters got their first taste of clubbing at a specially organised disco on Saturday.
The Barnet branch of the The National Autistic Spectrum hosted the youth club disco with the Totteridge and Brunswick Park Safer Neighbourhood Team at the Totteridge Youth Centre in Sweets Way.
None of the 30 clubbers had ever been to a club or a disco before because autism makes ordinary clubs and discos unsafe places for them.
The event was the third in what the group hopes will be an ongoing fixture for up to 50 young people.
Up until now the events have been funded by families and staffed by volunteers.
Now Barnet Youth and Connections has awarded £5,000 towards six bi-monthly events over the coming year.
Organiser Deborah Packenham, branch officer for Barnet, said: "The clubbing nights have been very popular and have enabled young people to experience a Saturday night out in a safe setting. “Autistic young people are very vulnerable so they wouldn't be able to access a regular clubbing night.
“They would get stressed about things they don't know are going to happen and because they are vulnerable they could be in danger from other people.”
Ms Packenham said the volunteers were able to provide a safe environment by assessing the needs of the clubbers.
Youngsters who are very sensitive to noise are given earplugs for example.
“They seemed to really enjoy it,” she added. “They really enjoyed the lighting system that was set up for them as they ran in patterns. And they liked getting dressed up like any young people would.”
She said the money was really going to make a difference to young people.
Sgt Simon Dawson of Bruswick Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "We regularly visit our young friends from the National Autistic Spectrum at their children's evenings held at Church Farm Youth Club on the ward.
“We were delighted to receive an invitation to their youth club disco. The event was a great success and allowed us to continue developing trust and friendships with these very important members of our community.”
For further information about the discos contact Ms Packenham on 0782 653 7531.
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