30th March 2021
Orbis adults and young people unite to create huge artwork for World Autism Awareness Week
Adults and young people at Orbis joined their creative forces in a show of togetherness and inclusivity to mark World Autism Awareness Week 2021.
A giant art installation created from 90 individual pieces of artwork has gone on display at Orbis Education and Care’s café, shop and life-skills centre The Orb, in Morriston, Swansea.
The artwork has been created to help raise awareness of autism in the wider community, entitled ‘Unifying Orbis to Celebrate Autism’.
It is displayed in partnership with the children’s charity Blue Balloon and is one of a series of World Autism Awareness Week initiatives Orbis Education and Care is running under the theme of ‘Talk About Autism’; a campaign designed to raise awareness and get communities talking.
Amanda Morgan-Taylor, Chief Operating Officer at Orbis Education and Care said: “Creating this piece of artwork has been a very special experience for the children and adults we support and also our hard-working staff, who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to make sure the needs of those we support continue to be met.
“It is hugely symbolic of the togetherness we feel as an organisation in not only continuing to raise awareness of autism within our wider communities, but in also remaining united during a time which has separated many of us, and the people we care for, from loved ones.”
Orbis is also running a virtual Makaton choir session and introducing a new training video for staff focusing on sensory trauma to raise awareness of the impact it can have for an autistic person as part of its World Autism Awareness Week celebrations.
World Autism Awareness Week runs annually to help improve people's understanding of autism globally and help make the world friendlier to those who are affected by the lifelong neurodevelopmental condition.
The Blue Balloon Charity offers personal and financial support to children in need, with £250 raised in recognition of the art project from local businesses and individual supporters.
