Salvesen Mindroom Centre sees 18% surge in enquiries
The soaring need for support with neurodiversity has signalled a huge jump in demand for the services of Salvesen Mindroom Centre.
The charity, which champions all forms of neurodiversity, has experienced an 18% rise in enquiries over the last year.
Access to education and assessment and diagnosis were key issues raised by parents and carers, along with communication, rights and responsibilities and mental health.
Data shows that children and young people were particularly concerned with challenges including post-diagnosis support, mental health and the transition from leaving school to moving into adulthood.
The latest statistics from the Edinburgh-based charity, which supports children and young people under the age of 25 with all forms of neurodiversity, show that over 1,393 people have been helped in the first three quarters of 2023, an increase of 19% against the entirety of 2022. The most common condition, affecting 82% of clients, was autism.
The enquiries came from within Scotland, predominantly from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and East Lothian, with the vast majority coming directly from potential service users and a third via professionals.
Salvesen Mindroom Centre’s Chief Executive Officer Alan Thornburrow says: “Raising awareness is one of the key goals of Mindroom. Our vision is a world where no mind is left behind. And while we’re delighted to have been able to help so many people this year, the story behind the statistics is one of huge need.
“It’s encouraging that so many more people are now aware of the help and support we can offer but the big rise in demand demonstrates an ever-growing desire among parents, carers, professionals and the young people themselves to help them lead the best life they can. We’re committed to doing everything we can to facilitate that.”
The charity’s latest initiative is a three-year specialist outreach service, financed by a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, to deliver a dedicated one-to-one support service for children and young people who have neurodevelopmental conditions and neurodiverse families in North and South Lanarkshire.
Alan Thornburrow says: “We saw a rising demand in this area and have responded because we know just what an enormous difference receiving the appropriate help can make.
“The latest rise in figures is a challenge for us but one we are longing to overcome to help people achieve their true potential.”
For more information on the charity’s work go to https://www.mindroom.org/
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