Prior's Court

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Prior's Court

Prior’s Court is a not-for-profit charity with a purpose to transform the future for autistic young people with complex needs.

Prior's Court Foundation is a UK registered charity (no. 1070227) which provides education and residential care for autistic young people with complex needs aged 5-25. The Foundation manages a School, Young Adult Provision and a training centre.

01/09/2026

It's a new month, so it's time for a new challenge! Walk across a bed of burning embers and raise vital funds to change lives at Prior's Court.

Once you've done it, stay for the pyromusical fireworks display and grab something from the food vans. You'll have earned it!

Sign up now via the link in the comments👇

31/08/2026

You may have seen our Therapies team pop up in our Summer of Fun posts. Here is a closer look at what August actually involved.

The month ran across four weeks of sensory activities. Young people started with a Sensory Obstacle Course, working across balance beams and stepping stones, through tunnels and onto the trampettes, with time in the squeeze machines too. Games Week brought target games, fishing, hoopla and colour matching, with plenty of turn-taking along the way.

Then came the Tickle Tent, a calmer space of bubbles, music, sensory stories, textured mats and massage rollers, where young people could slow down and settle. The month finished with Messy Play: coloured rice treasure hunts, water trays, painting and chalk, and no wrong way to join in.

Thank you to our Therapies team for the planning behind every session, and to the young people and staff who threw themselves into trying something new.

28/08/2026

Our August Summer of Fun wrapped up this week, and the last few days were all about slowing down a little. Garden games, badminton, arts and crafts, and some lovely sessions from our Therapies team. On top of that, as ever, individual homes put on plenty of their own activities too.

A big thank you to everyone who supports our Enriching Experiences appeal. Your generosity is helps make days like these possible for young people at Prior's Court.

27/08/2026

Weeks three and four of Summer of Fun have taken our young people out and about across the community.

There have been trips to Cotswold Wildlife Park and Donnington Castle, a day at the beach, bowling, Thomley Hall, an inflatable play park and plenty more.

Thank you to the staff teams who plan and support every one of these days out. There is still more to come!

26/08/2026

This week we said goodbye to Louis, after nearly seven years with us in our Children's Home. He arrived as a cheeky little boy and leaves as a confident young man who takes on new challenges and trusts himself to handle them.

During his seven years with us, Louis has lived in Shirley and Fleming Houses, where he showed off his love of being outdoors - whether going for walks or spending some on the swings and exploring the site, getting plenty of tactile sensory input along the way.

At his graduation last month we celebrated everything he has achieved here, from his ASDAN awards to the independence he has built in daily life. He will be sorely missed by everyone who has worked closely with him!

Louis, we wish you all the very best for the future.

24/08/2026

The Charlotte House "Fab Four" went out together one last time last week, heading to the Hawk Conservancy Trust for a day among the birds.

Brandon, Alfie, Felix and Daniel have lived alongside each other for years, going right back to their Autumn House days, and they've shared a lot of trips out in that time. This one was special, though. It was the last one as a four, with Brandon moving on from Prior's Court shortly.

The rain didn't put anyone off. The group explored all the birds that call the Trust home, then settled in for a snack and an ice cream to finish the day.

A big thank you to the staff team who organised the trip and supported the group throughout the day.

21/08/2026

Week 3 of Summer of Fun finally brought the rain, and after the sunshine of the last few weeks, we didn't mind one bit.

There was still plenty of time outdoors between the showers, with archery, football, swingball and parachute games keeping everyone busy. Reading FC Community Trust came back to visit, which is always a highlight, and our Therapies team had activities running throughout the week as well. We even had an outdoor cinema evening at Piper Arts Centre, with Finding Nemo on the big screen.

And when the weather did close in, we brought the fun inside. Young people got stuck into arts and crafts - making mouse houses, birdboxes, sun catchers and more - the bouncy castle was up indoors all week, before we rounded things off with a disco in the Piper Arts Centre.

Rain or shine, it has been a brilliant week.

20/08/2026

Zac, Jenny and Peter's stories are told in The Long Road, our most recent (and Charity Film Awards) creative film sharing what life is really like for autistic young people at Prior's Court and their families.

As a Prior's Court Friend, you'll be among the first to see short films like this made at Prior's Court. A regular donation from just £5 makes you part of a community supporting autistic young people with complex needs, and as a thank you, you'll receive early access to films like this before they're shared more widely.

It's one of several ways we like to say thank you, alongside an invitation to our Annual Friends Volunteer Insight Day, our Annual Impact Report, our regular Fundraising Update and video updates from our Chief Executive.

Become a Prior's Court Friend today. Your Membership. Their Future. See the link in the comments to sign up today.

(The Linden Allotment JubyLee Bakes)

19/08/2026

The sights and sounds of the Polar Express. A ship caught in a storm. A midsummer wood coming to life in sound and colour. Everyday moments of creative expression and play.

These are some of the highlights from Piper Arts Centre's first full year, since opening in June 2025 as the UK's first arts centre designed specifically with autistic people in mind.

Every young person now takes part in at least one weekly drama or movement session, with many also taking part in experiences around The Polar Express, Singin' in the Rain and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Along the way we've welcomed visiting artists and companies including Playhouse Pantomimes, Synergy Dance Outreach Bamboozle Theatre Company, Reading Rep Theatre and Corali Dance Company

Read more about the year in the comments.

18/08/2026

Brand-new fundraising challenges have just landed at Prior's Court, and there's one to suit every kind of adventurous supporter.

Watch the sunrise from the summit of Snowdon, cycle all the way from London to Paris, or walk across hot coals right here on site at our Bonfire Night fire walk. However you choose to take part, you'll be raising vital funds to support autistic young people with complex needs at Prior's Court.

Take a look at our full list of new events and find the challenge that's just right for you, link in the comments below.

Address

Prior's Court, Hermitage
Thatcham
RG189NU

Website

http://www.priorscourt.org.uk/

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