Ambitious about Autism
Supporting autistic children and young people from education into adulthood
Pears Foundation have been true partners to Ambitious about Autism over many years, providing an excellent sounding board and being a critical friend. They have been prepared to support us at the beginning of new ventures and encouraged others to get involved too. The Foundation’s support has been vital to the growth, success and impact of Ambitious about Autism in our work for children and young people with autism.Jolanta Lasota, CEO, Ambitious about Autism
This is one of the long-term relationships that really embodies our values. We’ve committed to each other over time and continued to refine our approach based on what we’ve learned together.Sir Trevor Pears
Partner since: 2005
Funding invested: £4.1million
- Core: Unrestricted funding
- Project: Policy officer post; Annual lecture series; Ambitious College; Employ Autism
- Capital: Pears National Centre for Autism Education
Pears Foundation supports organisations working to remove barriers that prevent people from participating fully in society. More than one in 100 people in the UK are autistic, yet many continue to face barriers in education, employment and everyday life.
Our partnership with Ambitious about Autism began in 2005. Since then, the charity has grown from a small school founded by parents into a national organisation supporting autistic children and young people through education, further education and employment, while campaigning for lasting change.
Over more than two decades, our support has evolved alongside the changing needs of the young people the charity serves.
Our first major investment helped TreeHouse School move from temporary accommodation into the purpose-built Pears National Centre for Autism Education, creating a permanent home for its specialist education.
As more autistic young people reached adulthood, we supported the creation of Ambitious College, helping students make the transition from school into further education and greater independence.
More recently, our partnership has focused on employment through Employ Autism, which works with employers across the UK to create more high-quality paid internships and employment opportunities for autistic people.
Alongside these investments, we have provided long-term core funding, backed policy and campaigning work, and funded research through the UCL Centre for Research in Autism and Education, which Ambitious about Autism helped establish. We also fund Autism Alliance UK, a national membership body for not-for-profit organisations that support autistic people and their families.
Now in its third decade, our partnership with Ambitious about Autism continues to evolve. Because the relationship has been built over many years, we have been able to adapt our support as the charity has grown, backing new priorities while providing continuity over time.