Two specialist organisations will receive additional funding to support 47,000 autistic people across Scotland during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has confirmed:
- £160,000 to increase capacity in the Scottish Autism Helpline
- £45,000 for the National Autistic Society to help people keep in touch online during lockdown
The Health Secretary said: “Autistic people find the extreme change in their daily lives more difficult to deal with, which is why we have fast-tracked this funding to improve the consistency and availability of support. These are unprecedented times and it is important autistic people know this support is there to help them and how to access it.
“This funding will help organisations provide autistic people and their families with a source of up-to-date information to manage their physical and mental health and wellbeing, as well as reduce social isolation by helping them forge sustainable and meaningful relationships.”
Charlene Tait, Deputy CEO at Scottish Autism, said: “During these uncertain and challenging times, our aim is to provide reassurance, guidance and support to autistic people and their families across Scotland.
“These extra funds will allow us to extend our Autism Advice Line offering, enabling us to increase our operating capacity to seven days a week, 8am to 8pm. We are all too aware of the impact this crisis is having on the emotional, physical and mental wellbeing of autistic people and their families. This funding will enable us to reach out and support people at this difficult and stressful time.”
Nick Ward, Director at the National Autistic Society Scotland, said: “We are very grateful to the Scottish Government for their work throughout this crisis to support autistic people and their families.
“With this funding we can drastically increase the number of online Social Groups, where people can meet and talk about the things that are important to them, form meaningful relationships and feel more connected. Our staff will also be on hand to offer support and tips around managing mental health and well being and importantly staying safe.”
Blair Spence, 19, of Maxwell Park, Glasgow, said: “I’ve been going to the Social Groups for about 9 months, they’ve really helped my confidence and conversation skills as well as make new friends.
“The new online groups have been really fun. There are about 10 of us in the group and it works really well. It’s good to stay in touch with other people and we’ve done some exciting things with the group leaders like a virtual tour of an Aquarium and around San Francisco including going across the Golden Gate Bridge!
“I really look forward to the weekly online groups and I would recommend to other autistic people to give them a go.”
Additional funding of £159,920 over a four-month period will allow the Scottish Autism Helpline to open 8am-8pm, seven days a week on 01259 222022.
National Autistic Society Scotland will use £45,057 to fully redesign face-to-face services onto an online platform, NAS Connect, to provide support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The website will bring people together through interests such as film, books, arts, cooking, quizzes and computer games by facilitating social groups, coffee clubs and branch meet-ups that are unable to meet face to face at this time.
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