“It was a gradual realisation for us that life wasn’t going to turn out quite the way we had expected,” says Albert’s father, Simon.

“We became aware Albert wasn’t developing at the same rate as other children. The headteacher at his nursery picked up on signs that he was missing key milestones in his development but there was no diagnosis straight away. Instead, at that stage, the medical professionals used the term ‘global development delay’.”

“Initially, my wife and I both tried working, with the help of a childminder for Albert and his younger brother, but it was too difficult. In the end, I took my work freelance and became a stay at home dad in 2013.”

After attending a mainstream Reception class at a local school, Albert secured a place at a specialist provision with one-to-one care.

“At that point, when Albert was around six years old, he was officially given an autism diagnosis. As he got older, we started looking for extra support, outside of school hours. We stayed in touch with an NCT group, but the comparisons were hard. Nothing about our lives felt normal. We wanted to avoid Albert being isolated by his autism.

In 2015, the family discovered YMCA East Surrey’s Yippee provision for children with additional needs and disabilities.

“The relief was enormous,” says Simon. “The service came highly recommended to us and so we were confident Albert would be well looked after. He settled in well – although he’s mostly non-verbal, he is more than able to let us know if he doesn’t want to do something.”

Now 14, Albert has made a seamless transition on to Yip4Youth, our fun and friendly youth club for 12 to 17 year olds with disabilities and complex needs.

YMCA East Surrey delivers regular six-hour sessions during weekends and school holidays across Epsom, Reigate and West Sussex, with a new service just opened in Leatherhead, enabling children and young people to spend time with their peers, building friendships and confidence away from home. We provide new experiences through themed activities and trips in the community.

Simon says:

“Albert loves doing all the sensory activities that are so difficult to manage at home. The trampoline is another big favourite. And the outings are so important – again, these are so much harder for us to do as a family.”

“Importantly, while Albert is safely occupied, we also get the chance to spend time with Albert’s brother, Ted. For a neurotypical sibling, it can sometimes feel as if their whole childhood is spent revolving around the one with special needs. The YMCA disability services mean that we have these pockets of time when we can do things other families find easier. We can relax. I can go out for a bike ride or a run. It’s massively helpful.”

YMCA Disability Leader, Georgia Knight, says:

“I first met Albert when I started my career at YMCA around five years ago. It has been such a joy to watch him learn new skills and grow as an individual. He brings so many smiles and laughs to Yip4Youth!”

Simon adds:

“I’m impressed with the staff and humbled by their dedication. They’re so good with Albert. His day at Yip4Youth is satisfying and fulfilling. When I pick him up, he’s settled and tired. They are able to dedicate all their time to being with him, which we just can’t do at home, and give him the patience and sensitivity which we run short of when we’re tired and stressed.”

“Yip4Youth is a lifesaver. We rely on it so much and I don’t know what we’d do without it.”