At Sycamore Trust, we often talk about the moment a family first reaches out—sometimes overwhelmed, sometimes unsure, and often searching for someone who truly understands the first steps on the autism pathway.
For many, we are the first call… and sometimes the only organisation they feel able to turn to. That was exactly the case for the Ringshaw family from Hornchurch earlier this year. After discovering our website and joining one of our Facebook groups, mum Nicola began receiving updates about the support available. Before long, she realised it was time to get in touch.
Nicola recalls: “My husband and I were at the point where we just wanted to speak to anyone who would listen—just to share our story, get some help, and not feel so alone. We needed to know we weren’t the only ones going through this. When we met with Ann-Marie, we walked out with a full action plan. It was the best hour and a half we could have hoped for!”
That meeting proved to be a turning point. Today, Nicola and Daniel feel much better equipped as they navigate the road ahead with their son Mason. With a new EHCP in place, they feel empowered to make sure Mason receives the support he needs and deserves. Nicola told us: “Our knowledge has been totally transformed. We were like sponges—we just couldn’t get enough information. Ann-Marie gave us so many useful pointers and ideas for things we could apply for.”
And the impact on Mason? The family say the future feels brighter than ever. “We’re trying to get him into a specialist school at the moment, and we know that once he’s there, it’s going to have such a positive effect on him—and on us as a family. Before contacting you, we felt very lost and unsure how to achieve our aims. We came away knowing exactly what we needed to do.”
Nicola has no doubt about the difference the Sycamore Trust has made at such a crucial time: “When it’s hard to know where to turn, we are so grateful for the support. It’s something we really needed, and it will make a positive difference to our son’s and our family’s lives.”
For more information about our all-age service for the Havering autistic community, click here; https://www.sycamoretrust.org.uk/our-services/havering-all-age-autism-service