Lower School young people from Bonsai Class, Willow Class and Chestnut Class enjoyed a trip to Lydiard Park in Swindon, with a clear focus on developing confidence when using money in a real-world setting.

The day began with time in the play park, where the young people explored the equipment and took turns on the zip wire. It was then time for a picnic, sharing food and spending time playing games together. These moments supported communication, turn-taking and social interaction in a relaxed environment.

A key part of the visit was a trip to the onsite café. Each young person was given the opportunity to choose and independently purchase an item, using either cash or card. Everyone waited patiently in line, made their selections, completed transactions - either handing over money or using contactless payment - and then waited to enjoy their purchases.

As class teacher Charlie explained: "For many of the students, this was their first experience of using money in the community, which makes their success even more significant. It was a real milestone for them and they rose to the occasion! "

A special mention goes to one young person, who, with some guidance, was able to input his PIN on the card machine.

The visit to Lydiard Park provided meaningful opportunities for the autistic young people with complex needs we support to practise real-life skills in a supportive setting. Experiences like this help build confidence over time and support each young person to engage more independently with the world around them.

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