EASTBOURNE VOLUNTEERS WITH HELEN BURTON: Introducing Autism Stress Alert cards

By The Newsroom
Published 7th Jul 2017, 13:00 BST
Updated 18th Jul 2017, 08:48 BST
Helen Burton SUS-160113-100959001Helen Burton SUS-160113-100959001
Helen Burton SUS-160113-100959001
This week I am pleased to announce that you can now pick up Autism Stress Alert cards from our community information hub at 1 The Labyrinth, 7 Mark Lane.

If you don’t know about this fantastic scheme, the cards are available to adults with autism or parents of autistic children so they can get help when shopping in Eastbourne at participating retailers – and that includes the whole of the Arndale Centre!

On production of a card to a member of staff, shoppers can get help depending on the situation, including a quick check out, help pushing a shopping trolley if an autistic child has lost control, or if you have a shopping list someone can finish your shopping for you. Staff at the Arndale Centre and other participating retailers in Eastbourne have been trained to understand the needs of autistic shoppers and their families. Even the security guards and cleaners at the centre have received the training Autism Stress Alert offers, making shopping a lot less stressful for those affected by autism.

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The cards have an amber side that can be shown to let a member of staff know that the person affected is trying to cope, but if they have to wait too long they might lose control. The red side of the card means that the person is suffering from extremely high anxiety levels and that the person needs help to leave the situation as quickly as possible.