My name is Sheila Thomas and I have three children. I have worked in PA roles with Consultants within the NHS for 10 years – Children’s services for Adoption and Fostering, also Commissioning Services. I have also worked in a children’s and young people residential accommodation under Adoption & Fostering Services. Through these experiences, I have had in-house experience of how young lives have been traumatised through terrible life experiences. I know through education and hope , transformation is inevitable. In the last 6 years, I have been working with a Primary School for Special Needs Children. Through my years of providing holistic support for children with a range of disabilities including autism, I can truly say, it has been rewarding and fulfilling, as it provides a unique opportunity to make a tangible, life changing impact on young lives and families. Being part of this wonderful movement in Ashley’s Hope is so fitting for me, as it provides the opportunity to make continuous transformation, not only on the lives of young people, but on families and the wider community. This vision and mission of Ashey’s Hope will inspire and empower many lives, it will affect change and raise awareness of Autism in Africa and the Caribbean Community, which is needed as stigmas and misinformation has become barriers in finding adequate help.