ARTism: A Different Perspective. Free exhibition for Colmore community

MK2 Real Estate has teamed up with charity Resources for Autism (RfA) to host a free, one-day exhibition celebrating the skills and talent of Birmingham’s young autistic community.

ARTism: A Different Perspective is on Tuesday, 26 February, at The Exchange, 19 Newhall Street. It will be open exclusively to anyone working in the Colmore Business District area, from 12 – 2pm.

RfA provides services for autistic children and adults, their parents and carers, as well as training for businesses who work with, serve or employ autistic people, including Birmingham International Airport and other major brands.

Nick Drew, head of fundraising at RfA, said: “Autistic people have so much to give to society, but unfortunately just 3 in 10 are in work. Because they perceive and feel the world differently, autistic people may need support to navigate the situations and systems of a world which is designed for neurotypical people, including the workplace.

“ARTism exhibitors have been invited to showcase their ideal place to live or work. We hope it will help foster understanding of the way they see the world, and the unique attributes and skills which autistic people can offer.”

MK2 director, Paul Rixon, said: “RfA West Midlands’ support has been transformative for my son, Joe, and I’m keen to help raise the profile of their vital work. We’d love to see members of the Colmore BID community at the exhibition, to learn more about RfA’s work and in particular how they can help employers.

“’We are grateful to our client and The Exchange landlord, who is very generously allowing us to host the event on a vacant floor in their building free of charge.”

Members of the RfA team will be available during the exhibition to talk to employers about neurodiversity in the workplace and their training sessions for businesses, designed to improve the understanding of autism and how employers can create more inclusive environments.

For more information on how RfA can support you to support autistic people visit: https://www.resourcesforautism.org.uk/training/

To support the work of RfA: https://www.justgiving.com/page/mk2resource4autism?newPage=true