Simplyhealth supports information line for those affected by autism
A vital information service to help people living with, or caring for someone with autism, will benefit from a donation of £12,820 from the UK’s leading cash plan provider Simplyhealth.
Research Autism, a charity dedicated to research into interventions in autism, runs an Information Service which provides unbiased, trustworthy information to help people living with autism. The funds will support the next stage of developing practical and accessible information resources, to enable autistic people and their families to make informed, safe decisions around treatments, approaches and therapies. The charity works closely with the autism community and is passionate about its aim to address real issues and improve the quality of life for people on the autism spectrum.
Following diagnosis of autism, parents face an enormous struggle to know how to best help their child. There is so much information out there but much of it is trying to sell or promote particular approaches, often without sufficient evidence to support claims made or regard for the highly individual nature of each child. False or misleading claims are common and some treatments can even be hazardous. We work hard to ensure our impartiality and integrity of our service.
This generous donation from Simplyhealth will allow us to invest in strengthening the Information Service and growing our reach and accessibility, empowering the autism community and informing professionals.
It’s clear that people living with, or caring for someone with autism need practical solutions to help with the everyday problems they face, and not knowing where to go to receive information and guidance which they can trust can be a reality for many. Research Autism’s one point of call for these individuals will make a significant difference to their lives, and we’re very proud to support them on that journey.
Autism is a condition which affects how a person communicates with, and relates to other people and also how they make sense of the world around them, and is estimated to affect one in every 100 people1. Research Autism is the only UK charity exclusively dedicated to research into interventions in autism. Its website is accredited with the NHS Information Standard (currently the only autism charity in the UK to have achieved this), and receives over 40,000 visits each month.
The Information Service provides information on a wide array of interventions and techniques available to people on the autistic spectrum such as animal therapies, dietary supplements and social skills group. It evaluates the effectiveness of these interventions based on scientific research and evidence. The Information and Advice Service also hosts Online Q&A sessions with leading experts, giving people the opportunity to have questions answered on issues that really matter to them.
To find out more information, visit http://researchautism.net/
[1] http://www.autism.org.uk/about/what-is.aspx
About Simplyhealth
We have been helping people with their everyday health for over 140 years. Our roots are in the hospital funds set up during the Victorian era to help working people save for their medical care, and we still follow mutual values today. With no shareholders, our profits go back into supporting our customers and healthcare charitable causes, donating over £1 million each year. Last year, we donated £1.6 million.
In 2011, we acquired Denplan Limited, the UK’s leading dental payment plan specialist. Simplyhealth has 1,391 employees based across our offices in Andover, Manchester, Leeds and Denplan in Winchester. We serve nearly 3.5 million customers through cash plans, dental plans, Denplan and pet health plans. Our Independent Living Centres provide daily living and mobility products, including powerchairs, mobility scooters and wheelchairs, in Andover, Bristol, Burnham, Droitwich, Kenilworth, Leeds, Northfield, Norwich, Sutton Coldfield, Telford, Willenhall and Wolverhampton.
Simplyhealth is a trading name of Simplyhealth Access, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
For further information:
http://newsroom.simplyhealth.co.uk/
Caroline Newton, External Communications and Social Media Manager 0344 579 2274
Lisa Hammerton, Media Relations Officer 0344 579 2489
Laura Miller, Media Relations Officer 0344 579 2266
Or pr@simplyhealth.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter @SimplyhealthUK and at Facebook.com/SimplyhealthUK
About Research Autism
Research Autism is the only UK charity dedicated to the promotion of high-quality research into autism treatments, therapies and other approaches. It provides impartial information about autism approaches and research. Its website meets the NHS Information Standard, which requires scientific rigour across all content and opinion. Research Autism has a vision of a world in which people with autism are no longer excluded, and where they and their families are able to enjoy a good quality of life.