Mum wants £100,000 to build a home for her autistic daughter in their back garden in Arun

A Climping mother wants to raise £100,000 to build a home for her severely autistic daughter in the back garden.
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Almost £2,000 has been raised so far on a fundraising page set up by Karen Halsey, of Climping Street.

She said that despite having ‘incredible problem-solving’ and ‘savant skills’, her daughter Frances, 26, can barely speak, is extremely sensitive to noise and has a fear of people. This means she cannot cope with the comings and goings of the family in their house.

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Karen claimed they cannot vacuum or do washing or cleaning when Frances is nearby, and their home has been a building site for 25 years as they cannot renovate.

Frances Halsey from Climping. Her mother has started a fundraiser to build a living space for Frances in their gardenFrances Halsey from Climping. Her mother has started a fundraiser to build a living space for Frances in their garden
Frances Halsey from Climping. Her mother has started a fundraiser to build a living space for Frances in their garden

Karen said Frances was currently living in a tent in the garden with her PA, which ‘obviously won’t work in winter’.

So they want to build a ‘two-storey, soundproofed safe space and living facility’ where Frances could go for respite and then call home.

Karen said: “A lot of people are going to think this is unbelievable, that this can’t be right – but it is. It is almost too unbelievable to be true. But it is very true.”

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The mother-of-two added that the designs included a bouldering wall, an activity which helps calm her; a large, soundproofed area with autism-friendly sensory elements and a crawl space; a toilet and shower room; a kitchenette and at least one small bedroom. Cost estimates have been £100,000, Karen said.

Frances Halsey from Climping. Her mother has started a fundraiser to build a living space for Frances in their gardenFrances Halsey from Climping. Her mother has started a fundraiser to build a living space for Frances in their garden
Frances Halsey from Climping. Her mother has started a fundraiser to build a living space for Frances in their garden

She went on to say: “We’ve always tried to do everything ourselves, we believe this is the only option for Frances, she desperately needs it and we can’t fix this without help.

“It’s really hard to watch someone so lovely struggle so severely and be powerless to make it better.

“Her life will always be hard but she deserves a safe, calm, happy future.”

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According to Karen, Frances was referred to a local child mental health team at the age of three, but did not get diagnosed until two weeks after her 18th birthday.

Frances Halsey from Climping. Her mother has started a fundraiser to build a living space for Frances in their gardenFrances Halsey from Climping. Her mother has started a fundraiser to build a living space for Frances in their garden
Frances Halsey from Climping. Her mother has started a fundraiser to build a living space for Frances in their garden

Karen felt her daughter had been let down by all the various authorities, she had been in contact with over the years. For example, she said: “I would tell people ‘don’t push her to talk, it is wrong, it won’t work, it is abuse’ but everyone knows better and no-one would listen.”

To readers, she added: “I know things are hard right now, but every £5 helps. It doesn’t have to be big.”