Television star Anne Hegerty visits TreeHouse School in North London
Television personality Anne Hegerty – who appears as ‘The Governess” on ITV quiz show The Chase – has met with young people from charity Ambitious about Autism during a visit to TreeHouse School in north London. Anne Hegerty was diagnosed with Asperger’s as an adult in 2005 after seeing a TV programme about children with autism and recognising their behaviours in herself. In August this year she appeared on ITV panel show Loose Women to discuss her diagnosis and its effect on her ability to multi-task.
During her visit on November 1, Anne was given a tour around Muswell Hill’s special school for children with complex autism - before recording an episode of Ambitious about Autism’s podcast with Youth Patrons Jasmine Bigden, 20 and Sam Chown-Ahern, 21. They discussed receiving a late autism diagnosis as an adult and her career in the public eye.
Kerry Sternstein, Headteacher at TreeHouse School, said: “We were delighted to welcome Anne Hegerty to TreeHouse School to record a podcast with our Youth Patrons. It is important that people with autism see themselves represented in the media so we are thrilled that Anne is so passionate about improving autism visibility and awareness.”
Anne Hegerty said: “It was great to see the brilliant work the charity Ambitious about Autism is doing to create opportunities for children and young people with autism. It was also fantastic to meet Jasmine and Sam and take part in the podcast, which I hope will give listeners greater understanding and awareness of autism.”
Youth Patron Jasmine Bigden, 20, added: “It was brilliant meeting Anne as she gave us an insight into growing up with undiagnosed autism as well as how she expresses her creativity through the work she does playing the Governess on The Chase. She has overcome many challenges to be the well loved person we all know today and it's brilliant she chose to share these experiences with us, which I'm sure will inspire many.”
Listen to Ambitious about Autism’s previous podcasts.
For more information on Ambitious about Autism email Cat Ferris or call 020 8815 5134.
ENDS.
Notes to editors
- Ambitious about Autism is the national charity for children and young people with autism. We provide services, raise awareness and understanding, and campaign for change. Through TreeHouse School, and Ambitious College and the Rise School, we offer specialist education and support.
- Our ambition is to make the ordinary possible for more children and young people with autism.
- Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects 1 in 100 people in the UK. It affects the way a person communicates and how they experience the world around them.
