The Pines Team Highland win Autism Hero Award
Issued by: The National Autistic Society
The Pines Team Highland, which provides autism support to families, has won a 2023 Autism Hero Award. The awards, supported by the Anna Kennedy Online Charity, showcase and celebrate excellence taking place in the world of autism.
The Pines Partnership won the Autism Hero Online Social Network Award because of the support they provide to families and professionals in Highland. The Partnership consists of The Highland Council, NHS Highland, Thriving Families, and The National Autistic Society Scotland Highland Information Service.
The Award ceremony took place on the 25th of November at the Cumberland Hotel Marble Arch and was attended by Alison Footitt, The National Autistic Society Scotland’s Highland Information Officer, and Rachael Geddes, Autism Practitioner for the Child Health and Disability team and Pines Training Co-ordinator.
Alison Footitt, National Autistic Society Highland Information Officer, said:
“I am surprised and delighted to have received this award which recognises the amazing work which National Autistic Society Scotland and the Pines team do in Highland. My Pines colleague Rachael and I had a fabulous evening in London, where we met other nominees for awards and it was great to see the amazing work of our team being celebrated.”
Rachael Geddes, Autism Practitioner for the Child Health and Disability team and Pines Training Co-ordinator, said:
“I am delighted to have won an Autism Hero Award. It was a fantastic evening, and we enjoyed the award ceremony. The Pines Highland Team work very hard to support autistic people and their families, and we are proud to have won an Autism Hero Award for our work.”
A local Head Teacher from Inverness who has used The Pines service, said:
“I just want to reiterate how good The Pines website is. I have been telling people all over Scotland how informative it is. I have recently got all my Pupil Support Assistants to do some professional learning by using the site and a number of them are now using the strategies because the videos, links, and suggestions are all really helpful.”
Photo of the Pines team