In this piece, we wanted to share with you a very special story of a life-long friendship between two of the people we support – Chloe and Ellie…
When Chloe and Ellie first met as babies in Alder Hey Hospital, no one could have imagined the lifelong friendship that would last between them.
Placed side-by-side as infants – receiving treatment for very different conditions – their mothers, Beth and Angie, would later recall how fate seemed to place them together from the very start.
Years later, the mums’ paths crossed several times when Angie started running a local support group for families of children with disabilities. What began as shared experiences and support chats, soon became something deeper as the two mums formed a genuine friendship and often would escape the stresses of raising young children to grab a well-earned dessert together. Their families would meet up for picnics, share stories and experiences, and support each other through life’s challenges.
The real turning point came when Chloe and Ellie’s educational journeys ended, and their families began looking for the right support in adulthood. Much like the founding families of Autism Together back in 1968, Beth and Angie were determined to find the best opportunities for their daughters to grown, connect, and thrive.
Chloe’s story
After struggling with anxiety and several education placements that sadly broke down, Chloe and Beth’s confidence had been shaken. “She was spending most of her time in her room,” explained Beth. “We’d had so many setbacks that I was unsure that a place at Autism Together would work, Chloe would usually lose interest so quickly.”
That all changed when Chloe joined Autism Together’s Day Services. Originally attending for three days a week, Chloe quickly found a sense of belonging and soon opted to attend for five days a week, on shared support.
“I was so shocked when things didn’t breakdown as they had done before,” revealed Beth. “Chloe is thriving! She still has her ups and downs, but the staff at Autism Together handle her so well. I can’t thank them enough.”
Through Autism Together’s flexible and supportive environment, Chloe has been encouraged to try a range of new activities. What began as one-to-one support has grown into shared sessions, which is a huge step towards independence. Along the way, Chloe’s friendship with Ellie has been key. “They encourage and support each other to try new things,” said Beth, “it’s beautiful to see.”
Ellie’s story
Ellie followed a similar path to her best friend. After 4 years at college, she began to struggle in her final year when her placement started to breakdown. “There just wasn’t much support for that next step,” explained her mum, Angie. “I wanted something that would help her develop her independence.”
Having attended Autism Together’s workshops in the past, Angie was aware of our services and wanted Ellie to attend. Ellie first attended Day Services once a week, but now she attends four days a week, including a placement at our café.
“She loves it!” Angie says proudly. “She serves customers and works just like her sister does. All Ellie wanted to do is get a job and be a working lady, like everyone else. Some days are tough, especially when it’s busy or there’s a dog around, but the support staff are incredible, very patient, encouraging and always helping Ellie to stay focussed.”
Best of friends
Today Chloe and Ellie are inseparable. Their friendship has grown stronger than ever while attending our Day Services together, and their bond brings a smile to all our staff. They light up when they see each other, share video calls on tough days, and recently went on a girly weekend break filled with mocktails, pampering and lots of laughter. Their friendship has also brought their families closer, with Angie and Beth sharing a deep bond, supporting one another through life’s ups and downs.
In the future, both girls have a dream of sharing a flat together. They will always need some support, but with such a strong network around them, there’s every possibility of their dream becoming reality.
Getting the right support
Stories like Chloe and Ellie’s are a reminder of what is possible when the right support, understanding, and friendship come together. Autism certainly brings unique challenges, but it can also open the door to strong ties and lasting friendships.
All too often, autistic people can be misunderstood, perhaps seen from the outside as not wanting friendships, or being unable to form special bonds. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Every autistic person is unique, with their own interests, strengths, and ways of connecting with others and the world around them.
In our charity, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and live life to the fullest. Our support journey is centred around each individual, recognising their personal goals, challenges, and potential. Whether its developing communication skills, building independence or creating meaningful relationships, our dedicated staff work alongside each person every step of the way.
The progress Ellie and Chloe have made, shows the incredible things that can happen when people are supported to be themselves; surrounded by patience, empathy and belief. It’s not just about friendship, but also confidence, community, and the freedom to live life on your own terms.
At Autism Together we see successes like these every day. We will continue to stand beside autistic people and their families, helping them build the futures that they want and they deserve.
