The CEO of the North East Autism Society looks forward to ending his career with the completion of an ambitious farm project that will give autistic people hope. PETER BARRON reports
As he nears the end of an illustrious career, John Phillipson remains as passionate as ever about changing the world for some of the region’s most vulnerable people. He is due to step down as chief executive of the North East Autism Society (NEAS) next year.
But before he does, he’s committed to ensuring his final, and perhaps most ambitious vision – to transform a County Durham farm into a pioneering training centre for autistic and neurodiverse people – comes to fruition.
Last month, after years of planning, fundraising and engaging business support, the groundbreaking ceremony finally took place for the exciting £4.9m development that will also create a new visitor attraction at New Warlands Farm, near Burnhope.
At the centrepiece of the ceremony was the planting of one of 49 saplings from the felled Sycamore Gap tree that have been donated to charities and community groups as Trees of Hope.
"The sapling is very symbolic because the farm project is dedicated to helping autistic and neurodivergent people to grow, and giving them hope of a better future," says John.
Though he’s retiring next year after a 50-year career in education and social care – the past 20 as NEAS CEO – John’s passion for the farm project means he will stay on in a consultancy role until it is completed.
While transformational progress has already been made during John’s tenure as the North East charity’s CEO, his national impact should also not be underestimated. He spent six years as chair of the Autism Alliance, while also advising the all-party parliamentary group on autism, and the advisory group for the Royal College of GPs.
His career even included being part of a Durham County Council delegation of experts who were sent to advise Russian authorities on how to manage an unsustainable number of children going into care.
Now, as he approaches a well-earned retirement, he describes the farm project as ‘the cherry on the cake – something I have to see through to completion’.
Born in Newcastle, the inspiration for John’s long career in education and social care can be traced back to when he was 14 and volunteered at a local youth club for disabled children. It led to a school report predicting he was destined to pursue a career in social care.
He has gone on to enjoy a challenging but rewarding career in the sector, starting with Newcastle City Council in 1975, where he qualified as a social worker.
Senior roles with Barnardo’s and North Tyneside Council followed, culminating in him becoming the authority’s director of social services.
After becoming tired of local government politics and bureaucracy, he wanted to return to a role that enabled him to support service-users, and responded to a newspaper advert seeking the first CEO of what was then the Tyne and Wear Autistic Society.
He was appointed in August 2005, and the charity was renamed the North East Autism Society four years later as the focus was shifted towards personalised care.
"The services had been based around what was convenient for staff, rather than the service-users’ needs,’ he recalls. "Instead, we needed to see the person and find out what motivated them, what caused them stress. Getting the services right made a massive difference."
The progress over those two decades is clear. Staff numbers have risen from 360 to more than 1,200, with the budget increasing from £9m to £41m as demand and services have grown.
From one school, there are now four, with a wider, regional reach, and the number of residential homes and independent supported living homes has grown from four to 36.
In 2013, the charity opened the North East Centre for Autism, in Newton Aycliffe, which is also home to Thornbeck College, an independent, specialist college.
Services provided by NEAS also include pre- and post-diagnostic services, short breaks, day services, and a range of family support.
In 2016, the charity launched its Employment Futures department, which has gone on to support over 450 autistic people into training, work experience and jobs.
Six years earlier, NEAS had taken the ambitious step of buying the 78-acre New Warlands Farm site to develop it as a vocational training centre, and the launch of Employment Futures inspired fresh discussions around how the farm could make a bigger impact.
"We realised there’d always be a cohort who wouldn’t find jobs and needed more time to build confidence and skills – the farm gave us so many opportunities,” explains John.
Those Employment Futures discussions have now borne fruit, with development work starting at the end of November to create a working farm that is scheduled to open by next summer, providing a range of jobs, training and work experience opportunities, as well as becoming the region’s newest visitor attraction.
The development will feature a farm shop, restaurant, cider press, retail outlets, a petting zoo, and wildlife havens. An experienced farmer – Dave Wilde – together with his border collie, Joe, has been recruited to support the project..
World-famous artist Mackenzie Thorpe, a proud patron of the charity, is producing designs that will be incorporated into the site, and a host of businesses have rallied to calls for support.
For example, Nissan are among companies providing volunteer manpower, Ringtons will train autistic people to become baristas in the café, and talks are progressing with the famous Thatchers cider company.
With planning permissions in place, the ground-breaking ceremony was carried out by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Michael Poole. The highly respected businessman was assisted by three young people – Joseph Going, Keiran Halsall, and Connor Cook – who are among those whose lives have already been enriched by working at the farm.
"It’s more fun being in the fresh air," says Keiran. "It feels good to be doing the farm work and I’ve learned a lot. When I’m here I feel more alive."
It’s the kind of life-changing impact that’s driven John Phillipson throughout his career, culminating in the farm project.
"When I started, autistic people were viewed as patients who suffered from a condition. Over the past 20 years, we’ve come to recognise more and more the specific challenges that autistic people have, the qualities they can bring to employers, and why they need personalised support to help them reach their full potential," he says.
"If we can make the farm a special place where they can develop skills to lead meaningful lives, that will be priceless."
MAKING IT YOUR BUSINESS TO SUPPORT GROWING FUTURES
SIR Peter Vardy, business leader and philanthropist, has led the way in supporting the North East Autism Society’s vision at New Warlands Farm.
When NEAS launched its Growing Futures appeal last spring, the entrepreneur promised to donate £500,000, and called on other businesses to come together to match his pledge.
"The North East Autism Society is a wonderful charity, run by a wonderful team, and this is going to transform lots of vulnerable lives, so please join me and get on board," said Sir Peter at the time.
Today, thanks to what NEAS CEO John Phillipson describes as ‘an amazing response’, donations are at the halfway point – enough for work on the development site to begin, but with more support needed to complete the vision.
"The work on the farm is underway – it’s happening – but we want to be able to go ahead with all the components that will make it so special," says John.
The additional £250,000, to match Sir Peter’s pledge, will mean specialist play areas can be added.
"The reality is that families with autistic children are having to travel long distances, often outside of the North East, to access specialist play areas, and we want to put that right at New Warlands Farm," adds John.
As well as cash donations, the charity is also grateful for the offers of ‘in-kind’ support it has received from businesses willing to donate resources and skills.
JOIN THE NEAS BUSINESS CLUB
AS an addition to the Growing Futures appeal, NEAS is now launching its own Business Club for companies large and small. The NEAS Business Club is a unique opportunity to put your business at the heart of an award-winning charity, making a difference to some of the region’s most vulnerable people.
There are four membership tiers – member, bronze, silver, and gold – based on the level of support you are able to provide.
Eligibility starts at just £50 and rises to £2,500+ to become a gold member.
Our business champions will receive access to volunteering days, guidance for fundraising activities, and complimentary tickets to events such as the charity’s annual Walk
for Acceptance.
Your involvement can range from fundraising, sponsorship, or gifts in kind – all of which contribute towards your membership level.
By joining as a business member you receive access to a monthly NEAS newsletter and invitations to connect through a Business Networking Club.
OR WHY NOT SPONSOR A TREE?
THE Sycamore Gap sapling which was planted as a Tree of Hope
The North East Autism Society are planting 550 fruit trees in the orchard at New Warlands Farm – and members of the public have a chance to become part of the farm’s legacy by sponsoring one of them.
- For £20, you will receive a digital certificate of sponsorship and quarterly orchard updates.
- For £50, you will receive a digital certificate of sponsorship, quarterly orchard updates, plus your name featured on an Orchard Support Roll of Honour webpage.
- For £200, you will receive everything in the £50 category, plus your choice of tree variety, a personalised tree plaque, and invitations to exclusive supporter events.
Sponsoring a tree makes a great gift for birthdays or Christmas. Businesses can also get involved with larger sponsorship packages, and become part of something special.
To find out more visit ne-as.org.uk/growing-futures/sponsor-a-tree
ROLL OF HONOUR
IN alphabetical order, these are the companies that have pledged support to the Growing Futures appeal so far: Direct Business Group, Fortis Vision, Forvis Mazars, LM Global Telecoms, Liqui (in partnership with Mackenzie Thorpe), New Energy and Building Services Solutions, Newcastle Building Society, NHS Business Services Authority, Nissan,
Northumbrian Water, Ringtons, Savills, Thatchers, Turner and Townsend, Unite Students, Vital Fire Solutions.
- Could you be added to the roll of honour? To find out more about the NEAS Business Club, sponsoring a tree, or other ways you can help, please contact the NEAS Fundraising Team on 0191 4109974 or email fundraising@ne-as.org.uk
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