Autism Cymru, the sponsor of Autismconnect, is one of four charities which have just been short-listed for the Best New UK Charity Award for 2003. The awards are run by the British magazine, Charity Times.

Autism Cymru was founded in 2001 and is based in Aberystwyth. The charity aims to make a real difference to the provision and delivery of services for people with autistic spectrum disorders in Wales. Its primary task has been to seek to influence and help to develop a strategic vision for autism in Wales, and this is being done at both national and local levels. 

On December 4, 2002, Autism Cymru announced the launch of the world's first national website resource for autism - AWARes - to bring the autism community in Wales together. As well as providing information on autism services throughout Wales, the bilingual website will also provide detailed explanations of autism, treat-ments and therapies. At that same meeting in Cardiff, the Welsh Health Minister, Jane Hutt, announced the development of a national, cradle-to-grave autism strategy for Wales which will include screening, assessment and diagnosis at all ages, children's services, adult services including housing and supported employment.

In May of this year, a group of Members of Parliament in Westminster put forward an Early Day Motion noting "the pioneering work being undertaken throughout Wales by Autism Cymru" and commending "their strategic endeavours over the past two years in acting as a catalyst for the planning work being conducted by the Welsh Assembly Government to develop the world's first national strategy for autism."

The Motion pointed out that "Autism Cymru's All-Wales Education and Training Programme has provided autism training for over 1,000 practitioners and carers" and congratulated Autism Cymru on "its partnership with local authorities, especially in West Wales, in leading the development of local strategies and co-ordinated service delivery."

Responding to the news of the short-listing, Hugh Morgan, Autism Cymru's chief executive, said: "Simply to have been nominated and to reach the shortlist for this prestigious UK-wide award is obviously very gratifying and is a reflection of the tremendously hard work put in by all those working for Autism Cymru since May 2001. The next year or so will be a particularly important time for the cause of autism in Wales and this has been characterised by the All-Wales Strategy for Autism currently being developed by the Welsh Assembly government - the publication of which so many people both within and outside of Wales are anticipating." 

The awards will be announced at a gala at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on September 3.