What began as one Ferryhill mum’s search for support and acceptance has grown into a charity that has touched the lives of thousands of families across the North East.
Little Treasures Autism Charity is celebrating its 10th birthday, marking a decade of supporting autistic children and their families, promoting inclusion and helping to create a world where everyone feels they belong.
The charity was founded ten years ago by Ferryhill mum-of-three, Michelle Abbs, following her son Charlie’s autism diagnosis and her own experiences of struggling to find understanding and support.
One particularly upsetting incident at a local soft play centre left Michelle determined to make a difference. During a visit, someone told her that Charlie should not be around “normal people” and should be with “his own kind” because he was struggling with a sensory overload.
Rather than allowing the hurtful comment to defeat her, Michelle channelled her experience into something positive, determined to create a safe and welcoming space where autistic children and their families could feel accepted, understood and included.
But the charity’s name also holds a special meaning of its own.
It was Michelle’s daughter, Jodie who was eight at the time, who came up with the name Little Treasures, believing that children like her brother Charlie deserved to be treasured.
Growing up alongside Charlie, Jodie witnessed first hand the difficulties her family faced and the challenges other parents experienced when trying to access support for their children.
From a young age, she also helped out with the charity, seeing the difference that having a supportive community could make to families.
Today, Jodie is following her own path into caring for others and is studying at university to become a learning disability nurse, continuing a family commitment to supporting people who need understanding, compassion and the right care.
What started as a single support group in Ferryhill, bringing together just 17 families, grew into Little Treasures Autism Charity, a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) that has now supported thousands of families across the North East.
Over the past decade, the charity has provided support groups, social inclusion activities and educational opportunities for professionals, helping to improve understanding of autism and create more inclusive communities.
Reflecting on the charity’s milestone birthday, founder Michelle said she never imagined that her idea would grow into something so significant.
“I never expected it to turn into something as big as it is today. It was only supposed to be one group in Ferryhill where me and my family could go to get some support and feel included.
“This would never have happened without my son Charlie. Charlie has struggled all of his life due to his complex needs, and as parents, we’ve struggled too, with very little support available.
“Charlie was five when he was diagnosed and seven when I started the charity.
“At the time, I was trying to navigate this new world, understand my son’s needs while also battling the local authority to get him a specialist educational provision.
“I took them to tribunal and after eighteen horrendous months I won, and he’s come on amazingly over the years.
“He is now at a specialist college doing independent living and life skills.
“We’ve come so far as a family, and the charity has supported us massively along the way. I’m not sure how life would have been without it and the amazing families who started as strangers and have become lifelong friends.”
Michelle’s experience of fighting for the right support for her son was a driving force behind the charity, helping her understand just how important it is for families to have somewhere they feel accepted and understood.
For many parents, finding a community of people who share similar experiences can make an enormous difference, particularly when navigating diagnoses, education, services and the everyday challenges that can come with raising an autistic child.
Little Treasures has provided that sense of belonging for thousands of families, helping them build friendships, access support and enjoy activities in an environment where they do not have to explain themselves.
Earlier this year, after a decade of dedication to the organisation, Michelle stepped down from her role as trustee to concentrate on her university degree in mental health nursing.
Although stepping back was a significant milestone in her own journey, Michelle is confident that the charity is in good hands.
“Clair Black now runs the charity, and she’s doing a fantastic job. She’s stuck to the core values of Little Treasures and is taking it further.
“I’m incredibly proud of what the charity has become and what it continues to do for families.”
Michelle’s decision to pursue a career in mental health nursing reflects her ongoing commitment to supporting others, building on the experiences that first inspired her to establish Little Treasures.
Meanwhile, Jodie’s ambition to become a learning disability nurse demonstrates how the family’s experiences have helped shape the paths they have chosen.
Ten years after that first group welcomed 17 families in Ferryhill, the charity’s impact continues to reach far beyond its original beginnings.
What started as one mum’s search for support for her own family has become a community that has helped thousands of others feel less alone.
As Little Treasures celebrates its 10th birthday, its story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when adversity is turned into action, and when one person’s determination to make a difference becomes something that changes lives.
From 17 families at its first group to thousands supported across the North East, Michelle’s story is one of turning adversity into something extraordinary.
If you require some support or are looking for some social activities you can find Little Treasures on Facebook or email littletreasures18[@]gmail[.]com.