Leeds Autism AIM Monthly Update: July 2021
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Hello and welcome to our latest monthly newsletter! In this update from Leeds Autism AIM, part of The Advonet Group, we have news on:
- Our monthly timetable of online groups
- Welcoming our new Coordinator
- Autism Health Access Project referrals
- The new LGBTQ+ Inclusion Project
- Our Women-Aligned Group's Discord server
- Give feedback on our service in a quarterly survey
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Online Groups timetable: July 2021
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We're holding Peer Support sessions on the 6th and 20th, both from 6pm-7pm. Our Women-Aligned Group is on the 13th from 5:30pm-6:30pm.
Our Gaming Group on Discord will meet on the 27th, while our Coproduction Group is on the 22nd from 5:30pm-7pm
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Online Groups mailing list
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If you are interested in joining any of our groups, we have a mailing list with information on how to join. If you would like to sign up, please click on the link below.
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Welcome to the AIM team, Chris!
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We are delighted to welcome Chris Hattrell to the Leeds Autism AIM team as our new Coordinator. Chris joins us having previously volunteered as one of our autism mentors. He has also worked for Specialist Autism Services.
Chris will ensure that the service runs smoothly, particularly our phone and email signposting and information, as well as any Hub sessions we are running. We look forward to working with you!
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Autism Health Access Project: Now open for referrals
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The Autism Health Access Project, where AIM work with The Light Surgery and Leeds Student Medical Practice, is now open for referrals. It works with autistic people who are registered with either surgery or live in their catchment areas to involve them more in their healthcare and provide one-to-one peer support.
If you are an autistic adult and are registered with one of the surgeries or live near them, you can make a referral via our online form. To complete it, please click on the link below.
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New LGBTQ+ Inclusion Project launches
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A new project providing self-advocacy training, peer support and accessible resources is launching for LGBTQ+ adults who are also autistic and/or have a learning disability. The LGBTQ+ Inclusion Project is being run by CHANGE, part of The Advonet Group and Yorkshire MESMAC. It is funded by a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, who also partly fund Leeds Autism AIM.
The project is open to LGBTQ+ autistic adults living in West Yorkshire and Harrogate. They are also looking for volunteers to join its’ steering group. If you want to take part in the sessions or join the project’s steering group, please click on the link below for further info.
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The project is holding a get-together to mark International Non-Binary Day. It is on Wednesday 14th July from 6pm-7:30pm on Zoom. It's free to attend and is open to LGBTQ+ adults in West Yorkshire and Harrogate who are also either autistic and/or have a learning disability. For more info on the event, please click here.
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Autistic Pride Day social: A big success
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Last month, we held a free Zoom social to mark Autistic Pride Day. In total, 16 people attended, with the group speaking about what being autistic meant to them, including special interests. We would like to thank everyone who came for making it such an enjoyable session!
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Peer Support Group evaluation: Share your thoughts
If you have ever been to our online Peer Support Group, we would like to hear your thoughts on what you have got from attending. We have worked with an independent evaluator who can use your feedback to suggest improvements to the group.
If you would like to share your views, please take this online survey: Evaluation
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Women-Aligned Group on Discord
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Our team are in the process of building up the Discord server for our Women-Aligned Group. It will have a number of different chat channels and will be supported by a member of staff and volunteers. It can be accessed away from the Women-Aligned Group's monthly meeting.
The server is open to autistic women and femme-aligned non-binary people in the Leeds area. If you would like to join, please email us and we'll send you an invite.
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AIM's quarterly feedback survey
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Starting this month, we will be running feedback surveys every three months for anyone who has received support from Leeds Autism AIM. They are short, asking just a few questions on what service(s) you have accessed, what worked well and what can be improved.
If you would like to give feedback between now and the end of September, please click on the button below.
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Help AND to build non-profit clothing brand
Abilities Not Disabilities (AND), a clothing social enterprise set up by Leep1 - Leeds People First are looking for help to build their not-for-profit clothing brand.
For that, they have set up a crowdfunder with a target of £5,000. If they reach it, AND will be able to support adults with learning disabilities' work as entrepreneurs, getting paid work and spreading AND's message.
To donate, please click on the button below.
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Updated free self-advocacy tools
The Advonet Group have updated their existing suite of free self-advocacy tools. The toolkit includes a meeting planner, phone call planner, complaints template and a document for taking notes for important meetings and events.
In addition to that, there is also a video guide that shows you how to use the meeting planner. To download free copies of these new-look resources, please click on the button below.
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Autism mental health project: Job vacancy
A new autism and mental health project, due to begin this September, is looking for a project manager. It will be run by The Advonet Group, is funded by a grant from Comic Relief and will work with autistic adults throughout West Yorkshire and Harrogate.
The role is for 30 hours per week and is fixed-term for four years, with a pro-rata salary of £28,052 per annum. The deadline to apply is Thursday 22nd July; click below for more information.
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