Chieveley autism charity Prior’s Court’s new film celebrates ‘incredible’ founder, Stephanie Shirley

An autism charity is eyeing another award after making a film about its founder.

Chieveley-based autism charity, Prior’s Court, has made a new film about its founder, the child refugee turned millionaire philanthropist Stephanie Shirley.

And it plans to enter the film, titled My Name is Dame Stephanie Shirley, into the 2024 Smiley Charity Film Awards.

Prior’s Court is one of three autism-focused charities founded by Dame Stephanie, affectionately known as ‘Steve’, in memory of her late son Giles, who was severely autistic.

In the film, Dame Stephanie, now 90, describes Prior’s Court as “what I would have wanted for my Giles”.

Dame Stephanie arrived in London in 1939 at five-years-old after fleeing the Nazis in Austria on the Kindertransport.

She later became a British citizen and went on to found an all-female software company which redefined opportunities for working women in the 1960s.

Visit https://smileycharityfilmawards.com/films/my-name-is-dame-stephanie-shirley to watch and vote for the film to be shortlisted for an award.