The £500,000 Autistic Adult Support Fund has announced the 16 charities across Scotland which will provide more vital support for autistic adults and their families to understand what neurodivergence means for them and improve their wellbeing.
Delivered by Inspiring Scotland, and funded by the Scottish Government, successful charities will receive grants of between £15,000 – £75,000 each to deliver a range of projects including:
- Hope for Autism will deliver post diagnostic support groups around developing an understanding of autism and identity; practical life skills; and learning to self-advocate. Support sessions and training will also be provided to the entire family.
- Autism Initiatives will deliver a National Remote Late Diagnosis programme (LDG) online and in-person in locations including Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Tayside, Highland, and West Lothian.
- Networking Key Service Limited will focus support for autistic people and their families in South Asian communities.
- The National Autistic Society (in partnership with Autistic Knowledge Development) will create an autistic-led digital suite of short films to provide a positive, easily accessible introduction to the world of autism support in Scotland. They will also run a series of six post diagnostic group sessions, with a mix of in person and online delivery.
Two Edinburgh projects, and one national project based in the capital, have received funding.
Speaking on the need for the fund, Rob Holland, Director of National Autistic Society Scotland said: “Sadly, there is often little in the way of support for adults following a diagnosis of autism meaning that they are left on their own to interpret what that means with little idea of where to turn to for much needed support.
“I am therefore delighted that we have been successful in receiving this award from Inspiring Scotland.
“We have partnered with Autistic Knowledge Development to develop an incredible programme of free to access support for autistic adults across Scotland. The programme will allow participants to deepen their understanding as to what their diagnosis means as well as to connect and share strategies with each other.
“It will also provide a safe space for participants to share with each other the challenges as well as the joys of being autistic. We hope that these connections will last beyond the lifetime of the programme.”
Highland based Lochaber Hope, will deliver online workshops on Autism, ADHD and a Neurodivergent Group for Women and Non-Binary People in the area.
Executive Manager at Lochaber Hope, Alyson Smith said: “We are delighted to have received funds from Autistic Adults Support Fund, this will allow us to support the increasing number of adults whose needs are specific and are currently not being met in our community, we can help change the quality of the lives of people living with autism.”
Erica Judge, Director of Funds at Inspiring Scotland said: “We received a large number of high-quality applications to this Autistic Adult Support Fund demonstrating the need for this work and the commitment from organisations across Scotland to provide what we know can be life changing support.
“We are looking forward to working alongside and supporting the 16 charities selected to provide vital support to autistic people and their families and carers to better understand what their diagnosis means for them and help ensure they are able to live happy and healthy lives.”
Find out more about the successful Autistic Adult Support Fund projects.
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