Nestled in the woods around Ransom Hall, Rainworth, is Pine House, the home base of Spectrum Wasp.

The Wasps, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019, is a family support group that, according to its website, offers support to parents with children and young people on the autistic spectrum with disabilities, special needs, and additional needs — and that is exactly what it does.

As group co-ordinator Sue Edwards says: “No doors are closed to our children and young people. If they want to do something, we make sure that they get the opportunity.”

Autism is a life-long neurological difference that can affect the thought process and limit social interaction.

The effects of autism are variable, so it is a Spectrum Disorder. Autism is not a mental health problem, although young people experiencing autism are more likely to experience mental health problems than their neurotypical peers — hence the added importance of providing enriching activities to encourage and support well-being.

Activities that Spectrum Wasp provides for children, young people, siblings, and families are creative, inclusive and, according to the young people, fun.

They range from playing board games in Pine House, exploring Ransom Woods, playing pool at The Towers, visits to theme parks, residentials, local projects, camping, Lazer Tag, sailing, karting, free style dancing, rock/ hill climbing and much more.

Well-planned and inclusive activities also provide the opportunity for personal, social, and emotional development, whilst offering the opportunity to try new things and achieve success — not to mention improving aspects of fitness and health.

The activities are also an opportunity for young people to see how adults interact.

The Spectrum Wasp staff team, parent helpers and volunteers are fantastic role models and are very supportive of the young people, parents and carers.

The support that parents, carers and siblings of young people experiencing autism receive from the group is as important as the support that the young people receive.

Caring for a young person experiencing autism can be frustrating, exhausting and isolating — I hasten to add it can be very rewarding too!

Parents and carers can meet others who, like them, are having difficult times and are able to support each other and share ideas.

One parent explained that when she takes her son into the community his ritualistic behaviour can be treated insensitively by members of the public. She went on to say when she and her son are out with the group no one would dare to be insensitive when the formidable Spectrum Wasp are about!

Spectrum Wasp, a non-profit charity, originated in 2009 after a survey was completed by children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and their families, who were based within a support centre at Joseph Whitaker School, Rainworth.

Data from the survey revealed that SEN young people were missing out on friendship groups and involvement in activities, not being asked to participate by their peers — including not being invited to parties and not having their own ‘time out’ outside friendship groups.

The findings of the survey were analysed and a bespoke programme of outdoor and indoor activities, with the young people and family’s input, was created, led by Sue Edwards, who was working at Joseph Whitaker within Extended Services.

Resulting from meetings with families and young people, a steering group committee was formed and it was on its way to becoming a charity — raising £5,000 to take it in the right direction in the first year.

Sue added: “We have met some amazing children, young people and families throughout the years, some who are still with us.

“We support the whole family as sometimes its our siblings that need us.”

Nearly 12 years on from when the Wasp logo (top right) was created by a founding member’s son, and the group primarily supported families in Rainworth, Blidworth, and Mansfield, Wasps are well and truly established in Pine House and recognised in four counties.

The charity works in collaboration with organisations such as Nottinghamshire County Council, local councils, and the NHS. Further to this, the group takes referrals from paediatricians, consultants, and hospitals to help support families in crisis and support respite care. To be able to do this the charity employs a support team of 10 well-trained and qualified staff and volunteers, who are mainly from the local community.

A constant theme that runs through the whole group is the feeling of family — an extended family who will put themselves out to support their community and each other. They work together, keep in touch, and move the charity forward together, which is a challenge in a complex and diverse society — especially over the last year.

Spectrum Wasp are, without a doubt, serious about their work, but are not very serious about themselves. If you are fortunate enough to spend some time with the group, be prepared to receive a very warm welcome and be entertained by witty repartee. You will also feel inspired and uplifted by the way they support and encourage the young people and each other.

Unfortunately, like other community charities, the services that the group supply can be limited by funding. October 2021 sees the end of three-year funding from Children in Need, which has covered core costs and wages. Further to this, funding from the National Lottery Community Fund also ends in August 2021.

Sue and short breaks manager Jeni Dubock once more realise the challenge ahead. However, they will stay focused and positive and, hopefully, will lead the group through the next decade, continuing to support parents, carers, young people, and their siblings to improve the quality of their lives and help them find a secure place in a forever changing world.

On a personal note, I am privileged to be a friend of Spectrum Wasp and have seen the amazing work that they do first-hand. Sue and Jeni speak with passion about their young people and what they have been doing or what they will be doing in the future.

Young people experiencing autism and their families and siblings need places like Pine House and groups like Spectrum Wasp to support and encourage them as they make their way through their lives in their own special way.
To find out more about the Spectrum Wasp visit their new website — www.spectrumwasp.org