It was the group’s second time staging the event, following the success of last year.
As soon as the doors to the department store on Smith Street closed, excitement and laughter burst in. More than 20 young members of the local support group ran to enjoy riding some of the island’s only escalators and public lifts – unlimited by the usual social restraints during opening hours.
‘It’s one of my favourite nights of the year,’ said Creaseys general manager Stephen Mewha.
‘It brings so much happiness and it’s such a good thing to do. We can offer a safe space, both for the kids and the parents. There’s nobody else here – no one’s judging them. Parents can relax and chat with like-minded people who are going through a similar life journey.’
Autism & Me Guernsey is a Facebook page with almost 700 members that offers support and autism-friendly activities for families to meet, engage and build their community.
Lorna Higgins-Bare, who set-up the group, said escalators and lifts were particularly good for children with autistic spectrum disorders as they satisfied their sensory-seeking needs.
‘They get enjoyment from the different sensations of movement, lights and sounds and we’re starved of escalators in Guernsey,’ she said,
‘It stimulates their vestibular system. There’s order and familiarity in the movement, which is very appealing for our children. By creating a safe space and an understanding environment, the children can fully explore the escalators and lifts as many times as they like without distraction or interruption. It’s fantastic because it creates good memories in the shop, and then they feel comfortable coming back.’
Mrs Higgins-Bare said the group was impressed that Creaseys had once again opened the store just for them.
‘They completely engaged with our community and offered the children and adults complimentary refreshments to keep them fuelled,’ she said.
‘It’s one of our more quirky events, but it’s incredible that our children see the extraordinary in the ordinary things.’
The idea stemmed from Vicky Overton, one of the mums in the group, who moved to the island some three years ago. She had spent lockdown in an apartment building in London with her now nine-year-old son, Adam, and had discovered a rare source of fulfilment during those long days stuck inside.
‘I love the doors and buttons of lifts,’ said Adam.
After chatting to the group, a mutual love for the moving machines was revealed among those with ASD.
‘Before Lorna set this group up, there weren’t many things to do like this,’ said Nicola Cowley, whose seven-year-old daughter, Railea was running free with her best friends.
‘It’s just opened up a whole new way of life for our children.’
It was the escalators that 12-year-old Lottie Rainbow could not wait to enjoy, and she became an instant blur of energy.
‘It’s fun because I don’t usually get to run and jump up the escalator,’ she said, during a brief moment between rides.
‘And I don’t get nervous because there’s not other people.’
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