In his first in-depth interview since taking on the role as chairman of Autism Jersey earlier this year, Nick Hutchinson sat down with JEP reporter Jodie Yettram to talk about the charity’s future, the growing demand for its services and why the conversation needs to move from awareness to acceptance.
WHAT does it really mean to accept autistic people? not just raise awareness, but to build an Island where they are understood, supported and able to thrive?
That is the question Autism Jersey’s new chairman Nick Hutchinson is asking this month – and one he hopes Islanders will reflect on as April marks World Autism Acceptance Month.
“It’s not something you have,” he said. “It’s who you are.”
And for Mr Hutchinson, genuine acceptance means creating a society where autistic people can be themselves, without pressure to hide or change who they are.
“It’s not an illness. It’s not something to be avoided,” he said. “It’s just how people are. And we’ve got to help each other live our lives, on the same planet, getting along.”
The work to build such a world, he explained, includes making workplaces and schools more inclusive, offering meaningful peer-led support and listening to autistic people about what they actually need – not just during awareness campaigns, but all year round.
“Autism doesn’t go away,” Mr Hutchinson said. “People live with it every day.”
That, he explained, is why the focus needs to shift beyond just creating awareness – and instead, create lasting changes in how society responds to and supports autistic people.
“We want an environment where people are encouraged to belong, encouraged to be authentic,” he said.
A new chapter
Mr Hutchinson has spent most of his life in Jersey. After a long career in finance, including running his own accountancy firm, he is now retired and fully committed to his new role at the helm of Autism Jersey.
His appointment at the start of this year marks a new chapter for a charity that has been supporting autistic people in the Island for 20 years.
He said: “I was approached by a couple of the existing trustees to see if I’d consider joining, I went along to a few meetings, and I felt there was something I could do.”
With a background in cross-agency work and voluntary service – including time on the Jersey Domestic Violence Forum – Mr Hutchinson brings experience in both leadership and collaboration.
He said: “I enjoy that. And I think there’s scope for me to contribute, but also to learn.”
His focus now is on supporting Autism Jersey’s staff and volunteers – an 80-strong team that includes 40 support workers, a 13-person operations team who provide charitable services or work in administrative roles, and 27 regular volunteers who help run the boutique at the Parade.
“We’ve got a fine bunch of employees,” he said. “I think I need to ensure that they’re properly resourced and skilled and looked after. It can be a stressful job at times.”
A changing world
The world has changed significantly since the charity was founded by a group of parents in 2005.
“There was nothing for autistic people and very little understanding at the time. I sometimes imagine how scary that must’ve been, trying to do it alone,” Mr Hutchinson said.
He added that awareness and visibility had improved over the past two decades, with more positive role models in the media and sports.
Autism is now legally recognised as a disability, he said, and more people are open about their diagnosis.
“People will now stand up and say, ‘I’m autistic’,” he said. “You can find your own tribe. You’re not alone.”
Younger generations are now growing up with different expectations. More schools and employers are recognising the need for reasonable adjustments – though some employers, Mr Hutchinson said, are still hesitant: “It’s legally a disability, so some are wary of doing the wrong thing. But the adjustments required are usually simple, and benefit everyone.”
To address this, he said Autism Jersey works with employers to help them understand how to support autistic employees in practical ways – like offering quiet spaces or allowing staff to wear headphones.
“Each individual is different, but the accommodations aren’t mega-expensive and they’re not intrusive.”
What Autism Jersey does
Autism Jersey provides support across two core areas. The first is commissioned care – government-funded services for children and adults with complex needs.
The second is a range of charitable services – including counselling, support groups, events, and training – funded through donations and fundraising.
These services are free of charge and open to everyone – even those without a diagnosis.
“That’s something I’m really proud of,” he said. “You don’t have to pay to get support.”
As part of these activities, Autism Jersey delivered more than 50,000 hours of direct support, helped 280 families and saw 420 attendances at children’s events last year.
A growing area of demand has been supporting people waiting for a diagnosis – something that can take many months and even years.
“There’s a backlog,” Mr Hutchinson explained. “You might think your child or grandchild is autistic and not know what to do. That waiting period is hard. So we provide support groups, information, and help to manage anxieties.”
That help doesn’t end with diagnosis, with the charity also helping to support those who have been assessed. “People ask, ‘What now?’ We want to be there at every stage.”
The power of peer support
A key focus for Mr Hutchinson is expanding peer-led support. He wants to see people with lived experience helping others going through similar situations.
“I’m not always the right person to give advice,” he said. “But if you’re finishing school and worried about applying for a job, it could be really valuable to sit down with someone who’s autistic and already working.
“I’d like to leverage that. I know there are people out there who are willing to do that.”
The Adult Social Club, held weekly at Rouge Bouillon in a space provided by Andium Homes, is one example of this approach.
The group is led by autistic members and includes activities like cinema trips, bowling, cooking and social events.
When Mr Hutchinson joined as a trustee 18 months ago, there were just a few regular attendees. Now there are more than 20.
“They come because they feel understood,” Mr Hutchinson said. “There’s confidence and self-esteem there now that wasn’t there two or three years ago.”
For Mr Hutchinson, listening to autistic voices and allowing them to shape the charities’ services by involving them in decisions that affect them is really important.
And it is the Autism Advisory Board – a group of autistic individuals who meet independently to give feedback but are supported by Autism Jersey – that keeps the charity grounded in lived experience.
He said: “Their job is to challenge us and say, ‘Why aren’t you doing something about this? Why are you doing this?'”
Building for the future
A long-term goal for Autism Jersey is the creation of a dedicated autism centre — something the charity has been working towards for several years.
“The money we’ve raised is ring-fenced,” Mr Hutchinson said. “It can’t be spent on anything else.”
They are now focused on finding a 5,000-square-foot site to buy and convert.
“We’ve come close before, but nothing’s quite worked,” he said.
The goal is to bring all autism-related services under one roof — including diagnostic, advisory, care, and support.
“It’s not about a shiny new building. It’s about creating a place that enables better services,” he said. “If we can find the right location, we can bring services together and expand what we do.”
The planned space would include counselling rooms, a children’s area, and a life skills zone. “Somewhere people can learn how to live in a flat, how to cook, that sort of thing.”
“Our vision is that we bring our autistic services in. We’ve been at the centre of that already. And if we were able to say, ‘We can all live together,’ that would be good.”
Listening and learning
Mr Hutchinson said the charity’s future depends not only on funding and facilities but also on trust and honest feedback.
“We don’t claim to get everything right,” he said. “If someone didn’t get what they needed from us, I want to know that.”
He encouraged anyone with any feedback to contact him directly.
“We are an open and honest organisation that wants to learn from its mistakes. If you have had a less than satisfactory experience with Autism Jersey, then I would like to hear about it.
“You can contact me directly on n.hutchinson@autismjersey.org, or leave a message with your contact details at the office (phone 871888) and I will contact you”
“We want to learn. We want to get better. We want to reach everybody.”
For more information or to get involved, visit autismjersey.org.
World Autism Acceptance Month
Autism Jersey is using April’s World Autism Acceptance Month to shine a light on the services it offers and to reach more people than ever before.
The campaign is about shifting the conversation away from simply raising awareness — and instead focusing on creating workplaces, schools and communities where autistic people feel accepted and supported.
In a statement, the charity said: “Whether you’re at home, at school, or at work, your involvement can make a real difference. It’s about how you step up – whether you’re supporting your autistic colleagues, students, or family members, your actions can help create an inclusive and accepting world.”
History of Autism Jersey
Autism Jersey was founded in 2005 by a small group of parents who wanted to create better support for their autistic children. At the time, there were few services available and little public understanding of autism.
Over the past 20 years, the charity has grown into the Island’s leading autism support organisation. It provides practical help for autistic people of all ages, as well as advice and training for their families, employers, and the wider Island.
Its services include one-to-one support, social activities, counselling and education and awareness work in schools and workplaces. It also campaigns for improved policies and public understanding.
