Leading autism charity Prior’s Court has created an online photo and video exhibition to formally launch its refreshed brand identity. The media gallery features stunning candid images of some of the young people with autism they support – as well as two video case studies documenting the experiences of living with complex autism, told by parents whose children are at Prior’s Court. 

Chief Executive Mike Robinson explains;

Our new brand identity is a real reflection of our expansion over the years and our ambitions for the future. The young people are always at the heart of everything we do, so it seemed only fitting that they remain the focus for our brand refresh.

The images were taken as a part of a photo study by Lucy Bruce-Gardner – who deferred studying for a Masters in photography for a year to work as one of hundreds of autism practitioners providing round-the-clock care for young people with autism at Prior’s Court. The exhibition aims to dispel some of the myths around complex autism and showcase the unique personalities of the young people, as well as the relationships they have with the dedicated staff team supporting them. Each image shares the context as told by Lucy, with narration from other key staff members at Prior’s Court.

The video case studies see the families of Shaun and Zac share their personal stories; in their own words, they outline the challenges and joys they have faced in bringing up a child who has complex autism - and ultimately why Prior’s Court exists.

Zac’s mum, Suzanne from Reading said;

I didn’t know very much about autism, but what I did know was influenced by what I had seen in the media – so it was a very high-functioning kind of autism. I didn’t know how serious the condition could be. I didn’t know that it meant perhaps Zac would never be able to walk properly, or talk, or use the toilet.

You reach the realisation that you’re not the best person to look after your child which is heart-breaking because you feel like a complete failure – the one thing you are supposed to do is look after that child and keep them safe and we couldn’t do that.

Zac’s Dad Matt added;

My proudest moment was being able to get Zac into Prior’s Court. I will never do anything that I am as proud as of that.

Where so many people had written Zac off, [Prior’s Court] was somewhere where he would be at the heart of everyone’s day, to give him the life he deserves and needs.

The Berkshire-based charity initially opened as a school for young people with severe autism back in 1999 – founded by Dame Stephanie Shirley CH to provide the specialist education provision which she’d have liked for her own autistic son.

Chief Executive Mike Robinson said;

Prior’s Court has come a long way over the past 21 years and we now provide a much broader service provision for young people aged 5-25 with complex autism. We additionally offer 52-week residential care including a young adult provision, a training and development centre with world-class expertise, our own research programme, a commercial bakery providing real work opportunities - and pioneering technology to help us better understand autism and our young people.

We aspire to be global leaders in our field and to transform the lives of even more young people with complex autism. We strive to continually push forward with practice improvements and innovations to provide the best possible care, and felt the time was right to update our brand identity to better reflect the organisation Prior’s Court has become today.

Launching on 08 March, the refresh has seen an updated warm colour palette, logo and strapline, website, purpose and ambition.

While the look and feel may have changed, as ever, the charity remains committed to providing the best possible care and support for the young people at Prior’s Court.

Their purpose is simple; to transform the lives of young people with complex autism, helping them to build a brighter, more independent future.