Real Life Options South Tyneside Service Offers Lifeline to Families Navigating Autism Support
Monday 14 July, 2025When the mum of a person we support attending a Real Life Options conference, shared that she was looking for Autism support for her son, she was not only met with a friendly and supportive employee, but also met with action.
The Real Life Options South Tyneside team invited her to take part in a tailored package of support, including ‘What’s the Message?’ training, and an ‘Autism – Someone I Know’ session within their service’s Parent Carer Forum. What followed was a positive and practical experience that made a lasting impact, not just on her, but on every family member who took part.
All the families involved fed back that they found the training both insightful and empowering. It helped them better understand the people they love and care for, improved communication, and gave them useful strategies they could take home and apply straight away, it was also communicated from families that it gave them peace of mind to know the level of training staff were receiving.
At Real Life Options, supporting people to live as independently as possible doesn’t stop with the individual, it includes working closely with families and carers too. By offering accessible, engaging training and creating space for real conversations, the South Tyneside team has helped families feel more confident, better informed, and more connected to the support available both from Real Life Options and beyond.
Kay McLaughlin, Registered Locality Manager from Real Life Options said, “We don’t just consider best practice for the people we support, we also support alongside their families too to work in together to better support each individual. When families feel equipped, informed and involved, the difference it makes to someone’s day-to-day life can be huge.”
This kind of wraparound support is a core part of Real Life Options’ person-centred approach, and the success of the South Tyneside sessions shows just how powerful it can be.