Local Reading autism support group awarded £5,000 from The Cadbury Foundation

The invaluable work of AutAngel Community Interest Company has been given a major boost, thanks to a £5,000 donation from The Cadbury Foundation, made possible by the support of local Mondelēz International employees.

AutAngel, based in Reading, offers a welcoming, safe space for autistic people to connect with others and build friendships. The Reading-based organisation runs mixed, women’s and LGBTQ+ peer support sessions, as well as a craft group and allotment activities.

Each year, Mondelēz International employees from across the country are invited to put forward wellbeing-focused charities or projects that are close to their heart, with a selection of organisations receiving a generous grant. Last year saw The Cadbury Foundation reach a significant milestone, with more than £1 million donated to support local communities since the programme began.

AutAngel was one of 12 charities from across the UK to receive a £5,000 donation from The Cadbury Foundation, as part of its annual ‘Your Charity Your Choice’ programme.

The donation has enabled AutAngel to continue providing vital autism-affirming community spaces, ensuring that autistic people have somewhere they can feel supported and connected. The grant has been used to restart group meetings hosted at the allotment in 2025.

Victoria Jones, Flavour Research Section Manager at Mondelēz International’s site in Reading, nominated the charity to receive the grant, which received backing from wider colleagues.

Victoria comments: “AutAngel Community Interest Company does so much fantastic work for the autistic community in Reading by providing a welcoming space in a supportive, autism-positive setting. I know this generous grant will have an incredibly positive impact in allowing the realisation of plans to encourage more activities in the outdoors.

“I’m delighted that my nomination was backed by my colleagues, and to know that the donation will help the charity continue to deliver its fantastic services.”

Sharon Perry, Engagement and Publicity Co-ordinator at AutAngel, said: “We are extremely grateful to The Cadbury Foundation for this significant donation towards our organisation, which will make a real difference to the adults we engage with, ensuring they feel valued and accepted.

“At AutAngel, we believe that every autistic person deserves access to a space to connect, share experiences and belong, and thanks to this grant, we can keep making that possible.”

As part of The Cadbury Foundation’s annual ‘Your Charity Your Choice’ scheme last year, a total of £60,000 was donated to charities, projects and clubs across the country, including AutAngel, which took the organisation’s total donation figure to over £1 million.

The Cadbury Foundation also celebrated its 90th anniversary last year, having been established in 1935 in recognition of Richard and George Cadbury and their investment in the welfare of their employees and the local community.

Kelly Farrell, community affairs manager at Mondelēz International, added: “Our ‘Your Charity Your Choice’ scheme was set up to support important causes and charities close to our employees’ hearts, and we’re incredibly proud that for thirteen years, the programme has done exactly that.

“Since its launch, the programme has awarded more than £1 million to support the important work of hundreds of regional and national UK&I charities, which have been hand-selected by local employees.

“We’re delighted that, with The Cadbury Foundation’s support, AutAngel can continue delivering its vital services, supporting the autistic community in Reading.”

Since its launch in 2013, the ‘Your Charity Your Choice’ scheme has awarded more than £1 million to support the important work of hundreds of regional and national UK&I charities, which have been hand-selected by local employees.

For more information on The Cadbury Foundation, visit www.cadbury.co.uk/cadbury-foundation, and for further details on AutAngel Community Interest Company, head to AutAngel.

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