Leeds Autism AIM Monthly Update: October 2021
|
|
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
- Team update: Departures and new starters
- A new autism and mental health project
- An autistic-led panel discussion in November
- LGBTQ+ autism and learning disability project's self-advocacy workshops
- Info about our Women-Aligned Group's Discord server
|
|
|
Online Groups timetable: October 2021
|
|
We're holding Peer Support Group sessions on the 5th and 19th, both from 6pm-7pm. Our Women-Aligned Group is on the 12th from 5:30pm-6:30pm.
Our Gaming Group on Discord will meet on the 26th, while our Coproduction Group is on the 28th from 5:30pm-7pm.
|
|
|
Online Groups mailing list
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Departures and new starters for AIM team
|
|
In recent months, we have welcomed new starters and, sadly, seen three colleagues leave their roles in the AIM team. Pesha Thornton, our Coordinator for nearly three years, left in the summer. Chris Hattrell came in to replace Pesha and is handling signposting enquiries and organising appointments and post-diagnostic support.
As reported in September’s update, Lesley Trickett retired after working with the AIM team as our Advocate for over five years. Fay Kesby, our Volunteer Coordinator, left their role overseeing volunteer roles within AIM. For any volunteering enquiries, please email Owen Walker at Owen.Walker@advonet.org.uk.
Coming into the AIM team are Jane Stark, Emily Elsworth and Georgia Holden-Burnett. Jane is Deputy Manager for the Autism Health Access Project, while Emily and Georgia join us as Peer Support Workers with that project. Emily and Georgia are both autistic and bring plenty of experience and skills to the AIM team.
|
|
|
New autism and mental health project for West Yorkshire and Harrogate
|
|
|
Funded by a four-year grant from Comic Relief, The Advonet Group are running a new autism and mental health programme working across West Yorkshire and Harrogate. Still in the early stages of its development, it will focus on partnerships and consultations, all with the aim of improving access to mental health services to autistic adults in the region.
The project will also offer peer support to autistic adults and training to groups wanting to provide autistic peer support across the region. It will work with advocacy and social prescribing services on improving access and services for autistic people.
It will run parallel to our Leeds Autism AIM service. Please click below to read more about the project.
|
|
|
Autistic Question Time: Free panel discussion/Q&A event next month
|
|
As part of the Leeds For All series of events celebrating International Day of Disabled People and Disability History Month, Leeds Autism AIM and The Advonet Group are hosting one of our own.
Autistic Question time is a free online panel discussion where four autistic members of staff will be on hand to answer any queries you have about being autistic.
The event is free to attend and will be live on Zoom on Tuesday 30th November from 2pm-3pm. You can ask questions at the event itself or beforehand by email. If you would like to attend, please click on the link below to register on Eventbrite. Zoom details will be sent with your ticket and just before it starts.
|
|
|
Out Spoken: LGBTQ+ inclusion project to host self-advocacy workshops
|
|
The Out Spoken project, working with LGBTQI+ people who are also autistic and/or have a learning disability, is holding a series of online self-advocacy workshops this autumn. There are two different sets - one for LGBTQI+ autistic adults; the other for LGBTQI+ adults with a learning disability.
The project is led by the CHANGE team and Yorkshire MESMAC, funded by a grant for three years from the National Lottery Community Fund.
People taking part must attend all five sessions and live in the Leeds area. To read more or book a place, please click on the link below.
|
|
|
Women-Aligned Group's Discord server
|
|
Our autistic-led Women-Aligned Group has its own server on Discord. It is a space where autistic women and femme-aligned non-binary people in Leeds can chat with each other outside of when the monthly Zoom group meets. It is moderated by autistic AIM staff and volunteers and free to join.
If you are interested in joining, please email us at leedsautismaim@advonet.org.uk and we will send you an invite.
|
|
|
Healthy Lifestyles Programme
People in Action are running a new healthy living programme for adults who are autistic and/or have a learning disability in Leeds. The Healthy Lifestyles Programme starts this month and is an inclusive version of the One-You weight management programme for Leeds.
It runs for 13 weeks, with an optional cooking group on Saturdays for four weeks. It encourages people to eat healthily and keep active. Please click on the link below for more info.
|
|
|
Free Self-Advocacy Group Sessions
This autumn, The Advonet Group are running free workshops on self-advocacy. They aim to help you to speak up for yourself, your rights and wishes. The workshops will cover different ways to self-advocate, as well as how to use their self-advocacy tools.
The workshops will run in November, December, January, February and March and are all free to attend. At the time of writing, all workshops held in 2022 will be face-to-face. Please click below for info on signing up.
|
|
|
Consultation on local police and crime plan
West Yorkshire Police have launched a consultation on its' police and crime plan. They have an online survey and other ways for you to have your say on policing and community safety across the county.
The deadline to complete the online survey is Sunday 17th October, while the consultation as a whole ends on 19th November.
For more information on how to have your say on the plans for policing, please click on the link below.
|
|
|
|
|
