Industrial And Transport

Unearthing Westoe's Colliery- A Multisensory Exploration of Local Heritage by Young Autistic People

Our vision for the project is to empower young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASC) to become active researchers, storytellers, and artists, uncovering the forgotten history of Westoe's colliery upon which our centre is built on. Through a multisensory soundwalk, physical placemarkers and creative workshops, they'll co-create a lasting record of this vital chapter in South Tyneside's heritage. This inclusive project celebrates the rich industrial past while promoting social connection for young people with ASD (Inclusion & Access). The soundwalk will explore themes of environmental impact, encouraging responsible stewardship (Protecting the Environment). By empowering young people with ASD to tell their own stories, this project builds bridges within the wider community ensuring Westoe's colliery is remembered for generations to come. Our project will contribute to the organisational sustainability of AutismAble CIC by promoting community engagement, developing new skills among participants, and strengthening our capacity to deliver future heritage projects.