AN autism charity hosted three young autistic French students during a recent exchange.

One of the UK’s leading autism charities, Dorset-based Autism Unlimited, hosted Nathan, Noam and Maye from French charity Autism Action.

The three students spent three days in Christchurch, visiting Portfield School in Parley, which is owned and operated by the charity.

Portfield provides specialist teaching and care for students aged four to 19 and also operates a sixth form and futures programme, which helps people aged 18 to 25 for life and work.

The three boys were joined by the Paris-based charity’s director Hawa Diakite and colleague Kamélia Becarbi.

Bournemouth Echo: French students from Autism Action visited Portfield School in Parley.

They attended lessons, played sports and enjoyed the school’s swimming pool and cooking with their English peers.

Autism Unlimited CEO Siún Cranny said she went to Paris in March 2022 for a conference and was ‘deeply impressed' by Autism Action’s work.

“There and then the charity’s director Hawa, and I decided we wanted to cement an alliance and friendship across the waters and we set to work on making this happen,” she said.

“Having their students with us for their first visit and watching them bond with our students over football, food and board games, without a common language, but with such enthusiasm, has been absolutely wonderful.

“We were very fortunate that one of the French students learned English at an accelerated pace and was able to translate for those of who whose French had become more than rusty.

She added: “We now hope to build on this collaboration further, enabling our charities to learn from each other, to work together and for our students to travel and form friendships.”

Autism Unlimited sixth former Robbie said: “We’ve had a lot of fun, especially cooking. We don’t speak each other’s languages but we don’t need to when we can play games and have a good time.”

Kamélia Becarbi said the young people enjoyed their trip.

“It is the first time they have travelled abroad and it has been an amazing experience for them to meet autistic students from England,” Kamélia said.

“We have been amazed by what we have seen here at Autism Unlimited. The education facilities are incredible and we especially loved the use of arts and music therapy. We have been learning many things and have collected many ideas to take back with us.”

Autism Unlimited provides support to autistic people through education, residential and supported independent living.