18/04/2026
After a year of planning, various steering groups and countless emails - we did it! ⭐️
A huge thank to everyone who joined us this past Thursday for the first ever Furness Autism Expo. The day turned out exactly as we had planned providing a day of information, exploration and celebration of autism.
The day would not have been possible without the support of so many people and local organisations who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes and on the day.
A big thank to you to all of our guest speakers who shared their own lived and shared experiences creating interesting and insightful discussions throughout the day. Guest speakers included: Hanna Munro Occupational Therapy, David Wright, Kate Rees, Keith Glasgow, Caleb Staples, Jemma Swales, Daniel Tyson, Jamie Hooper, Eloise Vernon-Brown Moon's Magic Shop, Sophie Broadgate, and Jorgie Sam Wilson - Music.
We'd also like to thank all of the local organisations who brought their knowledge and expertise to the day. It was lovely to see so many support services available to autistic people all in one room. Organisations who attended included: Advantage Barrow Raiders Community Foundation, Autus Cumbria, Beaumont College, Carer Support Furness, Chris Bland Personal Trainer, Citizens Advice, DFN Project Search Furness General Hospital, Lakeland Care & Support Services Limited, National Autistic Society - Furness Branch, National Education Union, Shared Lives Westmorland & Furness, Triple A Project, Westmorland and Furness Council, Westmorland and Furness Libraries, Westmorland and Furness SEND Partnership, and WorkWell South Cumbria.
A big thank you also to The Bridge, Carriola Deli & Custard Kebab for their support towards the event.
We'll be sharing more photographs, our lived experience film, and talks from the expo in the coming weeks.
Photo credit: Alex Taylor
