HRH The Princess Royal Launches Fundraising Drive For Specialist Autism Service

Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers had the pleasure of hosting Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal on Wednesday, November 27. HRH was at Sworders in Stansted Mountfitchet to mark the start of a campaign to raise funds towards Hft, a specialist autism service due to be built in Essex. 

The Princess Royal, who is a dedicated Hft Patron, spent time at Sworders’ reception, attended by more than 100 people, to find out more about the project. This included being shown a video ‘walk through’ of the development which would consist of six homes built with bespoke sensory environments.

Hft Chairman Baroness Judith Jolly talked about the charity’s experience in supporting people with complex needs and autism and the local need for this type of specialist service. Keith May, Divisional Director for Hft, provided more information about the development, as well as discussing the future local impact of the project.

The Princess Royal spent time meeting guests, which included Hft trustees, family members, patrons and local dignitaries, as well as the project’s architects and consultants and prospective donors, trusts and foundations.

Hft is a national charity helping more than 2,500 adults with learning disabilities across England and Wales to live the best life possible. Established in 1962, the charity uses its own unique Fusion Model to consistently deliver high quality, person-centred support across all its services.  

Services range from supported living to residential care – from a few hours a week to 24 hours a day. Hft also helps people with learning disabilities to take part in daily activities, make friends and develop relationships and to find work.

For more information about the project please visit - www.hft.org.uk/get-involved/donate/the-orchard-project/