Brockenhurst College’s Inspiration Room for vulnerable students with @Autism is supported by Totton’s Asda store

Asda in Totton has donated food and soft furnishings to Brockenhurst College to support autistic and vulnerable students who use its Inspiration Room.

The specially-designed zone offers a quiet area to study, rest or socialise, and is staffed by Learning Assistants.

After hearing about the Inspiration Room, the store’s Community Champion, Julie Motherwell, along with the store manager, offered to provide the items.

Blankets, cushions and cereal were among the goods donated, and will help support students throughout the college day.

The Asda store in Maynard Road, Totton, has also offered support for the students’ plans for World Autism Awareness Week, which takes place from 1-7 April.

The initiative sees people participate in activities to raise money for the National Autistic Society and also awareness of the condition.

Asda representatives will visit the College during the week to help students with life skills and budgeting and will run workshops on taste-testing and value-for-money.

One Inspiration Room user said: “Having the throws and cushions makes the Inspiration Room feel very homely, which helps me relax.”

Another student commented: “It’s great to not have to worry if I have forgotten or couldn’t bring food, because I can discreetly ask for something and nobody else needs to know.”

Lead Learning Support Assistant Nicky Cully said: “To support our young people throughout their studies we’re trying our best to provide a comfortable routine-based setting that will encourage and empower them to be successful.

“We’re very grateful for Asda’s kind donation and we’re really looking forward to working with them in the future,” she added.