intu Potteries is introducing a dedicated Autism hour the first Monday of each month from 10am to 11am launching on Monday 5 February which links back to the ambition to be an accessible destination of choice.
Stores will be asked to turn down music, dim bright lights, share information about autism and helping customers.
Staff at intu Potteries have received training to provide autism-aware customer service so people know they are in a safe and welcoming environment. They can also pick up from the customer services desk or download a guide that allows them to plan and prepare a visit to the centre at intu.co.uk/potteries
Cineworld, located at the leisure complex at intu Potteries also holds an Autism friendly movie screening on the first Sunday of each month. These are special performances of recently released films which have subtle changes to the cinema environment that means people who have sensory differences may have a more positive experience than they would in a traditional cinema setting. Changes include the lights being kept on at a low level, the sound being turned down and there are no trailers or advertisements – just the film. For more information and the latest films please visit the Cineworld website at cineworld.co.uk
99.5% of people have heard of autism, but only 16% of autistic people feel the public understands them. This is why 79% of autistic people feel socially isolated and 50% don’t leave the house.
Autistic people can get overloaded by everything around them. Noises, smells, bright lights and the unpredictability of public places like shops and services. This overload can lead to anxiety and meltdowns.
Overall, 64% of autistic people say they just avoid going to the shops.
We believe autistic people and their families should be able to access the everyday experiences most people take for granted. During our Autism hour, we are making our space more autism-friendly by making sure our staff and customers know more about autism:
Sandrine Rutter, Marketing manager at intu Potteries said “By taking these simple steps to an autism-friendly word and introducing a dedicated Autism hour, we are hoping to show everyone that the smallest of changes can make the biggest impact for autistic people.”
