Our history
We were founded in 1968 by a group of parents in Nottingham who were seeking a better education and future for their children.
Two years later we opened our doors at Sutherland House School across five sites in Nottingham.
When it became clear that there was need for services for adults too, we opened an accommodation-based service in Worksop for adults. Our services have since grown to cover so much more.
Here’s how we’ve grown
1968
The Nottingham Regional Society of Autism for Children and Adults was formed by a group of parents who were seeking a good education for their children.
1970
Sutherland House School opened in Carlton, Nottingham.
1987
Our first residential care home opened in Worksop. Since then, our services for adults has expanded to offer residential, supported living, day services and outreach services from almost 20 sites across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
1994
Development psychologist, Elizabeth Newson, who was instrumental in forming the school, developed the Elizabeth Newson Centre. It adjoined the school and focused on diagnostic assessment for young people with social communication difficulties. She was involved with the centre until 2003 and was a strong supporter until her death in February 2014.
2011
NORSACA opened the Work and Learn Centre in Worksop, now known as the Dukeries Autism Centre. It was our first day service in Worksop. This was followed by the opening of Mundy Street in Heanor, Tall Trees in Retford, Enterprise Centre in Worksop, and Sherwood Centre in Mansfield Woodhouse.
2013
We brought all the services together under the name of Autism East Midlands.
2014
All our central functions were moved to one site when we opened our Head Office in Creswell, near Worksop.
2016
January saw the coming together of all five school sites into a refurbished building in Bath Street, Nottingham. For the first time Sutherland House School had all its classes under one roof, with modern facilities including a hall, gym, and sensory rooms.
2017
The two large residential houses, Fairview and Lynton House in Nottingham were completely refurbished to create bespoke apartments, designed around the individuals who were to make it their home.
2020
As the world changed with the arrival of a global pandemic, Autism East Midlands was able to adapt to the changing times. In fact, the organisation continued to grow and a new £2million development opened at South Lodge and Iedale in Retford.
2022
Whitegates Respite Services, based in Worksop, was opened to enable people from across the East Midlands to visit for short break stays. It enables them to enjoy a change of scenery in a tranquil setting, while offering the opportunity for their carers and families to have a break.
2024
Marchant House, a training centre run by Sutherland House School, officially opens in Nottingham to help students develop independence skills within a house setting. The building was donated by the late Eric Kenneth Marchant.