Life of 10-year old girl with autism transformed by friendship

Artwork that Katie and Jo have created

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"I have always wanted is a sister, that was my first wish, and Jo is like that."

A local ten-year-old girl with autism has developed a newfound confidence after signing up to a Rochdale befriending scheme.

Last year, Katie Thompson, who lives in Rochdale, found understanding social situations and communicating with others challenging. As a result she had low confidence, was very quiet and often struggled to make friends. Now, with the help of a befriender, Jo Hill, 23, she has come out of her shell, is trying new things and is talking to new people.

Katie was first partnered with Jo as part of the Rochdale Befriending Scheme, run by the National Autistic Society (NAS), the UK’s leading charity for people affected by autism. More than 1 in 100 people in the UK have autism, a lifelong condition affecting how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people.

The scheme provides young people with autism between the ages of 5 and 19 with one-to-one support, enabling them to take part in social activities in the same way other people their age do.

Jo and Katie were matched by the NAS according to their personality and interests, and they have bonded over their love of art, creating collages and paintings together. In the following six months Jo has introduced Katie to new experiences such as ice skating and visiting petting zoos, helping her to understand social cues and increase her confidence when talking to other people.

Jo said: "As soon as I saw that Katie had an art box just like mine I knew that we’d get along well. But even then, I didn’t realise quite how rewarding the scheme would be for both of us. It’s been heart-warming to see Katie develop from the shy and quiet person I first met six months ago into who she is today. I just feel really proud to have been a part of that.”

Katie said: "I really like having Jo as a buddy; we both love fairies and we do arts and crafts together. She is very kind and friendly. What I have always wanted is a sister, that was my first wish, and Jo is like that. She is good to have as a best friend and to play with. She is one of a kind. I’d like to say thank you to Jo for befriending.”

Katie’s mum Shenny said: “Katie’s autism means that she has problems communicating and getting to know other kids, so it’s been wonderful for her to have a new friend Jo, who has been an absolute star.

“In the short time they’ve been together Katie’s really opened up to Jo and has become so much more talkative. I just hope she'll be able to transfer these experiences to her school life so she can feel more confident and start marking some more friends.”

Katie Toulmin, Befriending and Mentoring Coordinator at the NAS, said: "Befriending and mentoring are great ways for children and young people with autism, like Katie, to socialise, learn new skills and have fun with someone outside of their family. It was so lovely to see Katie smiling as she talked to me about how much fun she has with Jo. She was eager to show me the painting they had done together on her bedroom wall, and the secret letter Jo had written to her in fairy writing. Jo and Katie's story is just one of many that display the value of the scheme, to both the befriendee and the befriender.

“The success of this scheme depends on inspirational people like Jo dedicating their time to make a difference to the lives of people with autism. I hope more people from Rochdale will follow her example and get involved."

If you would like to know more about the Rochdale Befriending Scheme, please contact Katie Toulmin at Katie.toulmin@nas.org.uk or on 07796 184 454.