Rotherham service which helps young adults with autism and learning disabilities wins international award

The Base Community Hub received a Global Housing, Healthcare and Enablement Award, being cited as the most outstanding community hub for young adults with autism and learning disabilities in the world.

Named the best in the whole of 2025, the honour has thrilled the team working at the Base, who received their award last month. Judges said that in each category they looked to see if the entrant was “the best performed, most meritorious, most innovative and most courageous” before choosing a winner.

Owned and run by Michelle and Anthony Wilson, the service cares for young adults 14 plus providing bespoke development plans for each user, in a modern and fun way.

Director Michelle said: “What an honour it is to receive such an award.

“We are a small company in a small town Rotherham, South Yorkshire. A small company but with a huge heart; it’s a privilege to take this back home, to present it to all the individuals with autism and learning disabilities we support everyday, because it is them that has made this happen

“It is them whom we endeavour to serve to make their lives one day at a time full of happiness and joyful moments putting a smile on each face , creating laughter in a room , making fun-filled moments for each and every individual because it’s all about them, it’s about all their individual needs to see a smile is a heart-warming achievement and a reward only everyone in this room can understand the word “care’ is such a small word but wow a word with one huge importance.”

The Base Community Hub is a day care provider based at Base2Fitness in Herringthorpe Stadium and promotes inclusivity in many sports, health and wellbeing. The Base offers extended education through AQA Awards for its service users.

It also has a sensory garden, sensory room, a sensory pod, a beauty room, music room and a gaming area.

The users also have their own allotment which is wheelchair friendly, an art therapy room and an animal care area, which currently has chickens looked after by the students.

Michelle added: “We are proud to be recognised as a company of the achievements we are gaining. The award is such a prestigious award and it is an honour to display the trophy for all our visitors to see. We would like to take the opportunity to thank our fabulous staff team who support Anthony & I each day to ensure all our service users are cared for and happy in all the activities they choose to participate in.”

Find out more about the work of the Base Community Hub here.