The team from Millom Library have been awarded the SHINE for Autism Hero Award for February.
SHINE for Autism is a group of local professionals, parents and carers, striving to create autism-friendly communities across the region and to raise awareness of the needs of people with autism.
The Hero Award for February recognises the hard work and commitment of Millom Library’s team to make the library autism friendly. The regular Friday morning sessions are very popular with local schools, nurseries and families, making their library experience as smooth and welcoming as possible.
Millom Library was the first library in Cumbria to be awarded autism-friendly status by the National Autistic Society, followed by Whitehaven Library.
Millom Library offers a weekly sensory session and has a large collection of resources, books and leaflets about autism. People with autism and their families can prepare for their visit with the assistance of a visual guide to the library and a social story – both available via the library pages on the county council’s website.
Cllr Deborah Earl, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet Member for Libraries and Local Communities, said:
“This is fantastic news, and more recognition of the amazing work and passion of the library team in Millom. It’s so important to recognise, understand and raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with autism and their families, and this award demonstrates the council’s commitment to ensuring a variety of accessible and welcoming environments for autistic people. I’d like to say a very big thank you and well done to everyone involved – their commitment to the local community is inspiring.”
