Rani joined Activity Learning Hub (ALH) from school in September 2024. He is autistic and has general anxiety disorder. Rani lives with his mum. Prior to joining ALH, he was extremely anxious and would only leave their flat to go to school using a transport service. This meant his mum was also confined to their flat unless Rani was at school.
When Rani started ALH, his social worker asked that we met him at the door and escorted him indoors. Initially too anxious to enter any rooms, be near windows or encounter unfamiliar people, he spent most of his time sat in the corridor.
Gradually – with time, support and consistency – we managed to build on this to get him to go into rooms and observe groups. We then set Rani small, achievable steps to help him move towards his goal of fully participating in groups. Rani is now a thriving member of our Drama and Sports groups, has developed great relationships and grown his confidence massively.
An especially proud moment for Rani was participating in our Drama group’s performance at the Crucible theatre, in front of a public audience. Even travelling to the Crucible, let alone performing on stage, would have been inconceivable a year before. However, when the time came, he was able to meet the group at the Crucible and perform in front of a packed house, including his mum and brother.
When we then organised a trip to watch the Aladdin pantomime at The Lyceum Theatre, he didn’t even flinch at the prospect of going out with us again. His mum is delighted at his progress and told us that she had even been able to take him out for her favourite meal – ribs – which she hadn’t had for years!
