Surbiton mums want abandoned Tolworth day nursery to become hub for people with autism

Two Surbiton mums have teamed up to get an abandoned day nursery back in to use as a hub for people with autism and their families.

Annette Williams and Tracey Gaggiotti who both have autistic children, want Kingston Council to transfer ownership of Fairmead Day Nursery to them for use as a space to support young people with autism and their families. A petition set up to transform the building in Ewell Road, Tolworth, already has more than 700 signatures.

The pair set up Express, a not-for-profit community interest company, to nominate the nursery as a community asset last year. The nursery has been empty for more than two years and was previously a dance studio.

There are more than 300 young people and 1,700 adults with autism in the borough. The petition states: “Express's vision is for a cafe and hub in the heart of the community which provides an autism-friendly environment to include quiet areas and sensory areas, creating a social space where individuals and families can not only access practical support but can also socialise and express themselves.”

The petition is available until February 28 online at epetition.kingston.public-i.tv/epetition_core/community/petition/2470
To find out more about Express visit expresscic.org.uk

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