Autism family support charity set to close after nearly 50 years
Over 4,000 families in the county will no longer have access to its services
Autistic Family Support Oxfordshire (AFSO) has announced it plans to close on 31st March following almost 50 years of supporting children and families within the community.
The decision comes as a result of a fundraising deficit, prompting concerns over the future availability of critical services for over 4,000 Oxfordshire families who have benefited from AFSO's resources, including youth clubs, holiday activities and parent training.
Despite the demand for its youth groups having nearly doubled last year, trustees have been unable to secure funding after exhausting avenues such as appeals, income generation efforts and cost-saving measures.
AFSO has been a key referral point for diagnostic clinics, receiving around 30 new referrals each month.
A spokesperson for the trustees said: “This has 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.
"For nearly five decades, AFSO has been a lifeline for families, offering care, understanding and a sense of belonging. 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.”
A mum from Thame who's son receives support from the charity explained how much it will be missed by them: “He's been going to the youth club every Saturday morning and for the past five years and for him, they provide a real safe haven where he can completely let his guard down and just be completely himself.
"That's such a huge service and for that to be taken away. I know it won't just be my family devastated, it'll be a huge number of families across Oxfordshire feeling exactly the same way that we do."
The charity is open to significant support from any funder or donor willing to help secure its future before the end of March.