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Leeds Autism AIM Monthly Update: February 2022

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 groups
Our new online referral form
An update on the new autism alert card for Leeds
The Out Spoken project's new group sessions
Plan B restrictions ending
A survey on accommodation for autistic adults in Leeds

Online Groups timetable: February 2022

We're holding a Peer Support Group session on the 1st and 15th from 6pm-7pm. Our monthly Women-Aligned Group is on the 8th from 5:30pm-6:30pm.
After a month away, our Gaming Group will be back on our Discord server on the 22nd from 6pm-7pm. We're also holding a Coproduction Group session on the 24th 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.

Online Groups mailing list >>

New online referral form for AIM

We have a new-look online referral form for anyone who would like to access any of Leeds Autism AIM’s services. It has been redesigned to help make sorting out appointments easier.
It is hosted on Microsoft Forms and covers everything from post-diagnostic support to advocacy. Please click on the link below to find the form.

Referral form >>

Leeds Hidden Talents employment events: Watch this space!

Next month, there will be a series of employment events in Leeds around employment opportunities and support for autistic adults. They will be under the Leeds Hidden Talents banner and feature events across several days. We will send an update with more information later this month.

Out Spoken project’s new self-advocacy workshops and peer support groups

CHANGE and Yorkshire MESMAC’s Out Spoken project will run a new series of self-advocacy workshops for LGBTQ+ autistic adults in Leeds. They are starting this month, are on Zoom and are free to attend.
The project will also be running peer support sessions starting this month. There are check-in sessions and themed discussions. These are open to LGBTQ+ adults who are autistic and/or have a learning disability in Yorkshire.
Details on both and how to join are available by clicking on the buttons below.

Out Spoken self-advocacy workshops >>

Out Spoken peer support groups >>

Our Autism Health Access Project, working with the Leeds Student Medical Practice and The Light Surgery Primary Care Network, is still open to work with autistic adults registered with or living near either surgery.
The project team are working on new resources on communicating healthcare needs. These will be available in the next month or so. For more info on how the project can help you, please click here.

Working Age Adults Accommodation Strategy survey

The CHANGE and Asking You! teams, both part of The Advonet Group, have a survey out. This is about what you think about where you currently live and will help to shape the 10-year Working Age Adults Accommodation Strategy for Leeds.
The survey is open to autistic adults in the Leeds area and can be done online by clicking on the button below. If you would like support to complete this survey, please email dominiqueb@changepeople.org or call 0113 244 0606 and ask to speak to Dom.

Survey >>

Demand high for new Autism Alert Card

The new autism alert card for Leeds, coproduced by us, West Yorkshire Police and other organisations, has been in demand. To date, we have had nearly 70 people apply for one.
Due to high demand, there will be some delays in getting the cards printed and posted out. Apologies for any inconvenience caused if you filled in our form and are waiting for one.
If you would like an alert card, please click on the link below for more information on how it looks and what it can be used for.

Alert card >>

Changes to Plan B restrictions

Starting from Thursday 27th January, a number of the Plan B Coronavirus restrictions have been lifted. These include not needing to show an NHS COVID Pass at venues and events, as well as not being required to wear a face covering.
More information on changes to restrictions and how to stay safe can be found on the GOV.UK website at the link below.

Restrictions >>

News in brief

Survey on PIP and ESA experiences
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is looking for feedback on the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) application process via an online survey. It is open to anyone who has applied for either benefit or supported someone to do so.
The survey is open until the middle of this month. To take it, please click on the link below.

PIP survey >>

People Matters’ wellbeing groups
People Matters are running two new weekly wellbeing groups for their members. They will focus on activities such as arts, sports, walking, games and mindfulness, chosen by group members.
The groups run on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:30am to 12:30pm.
More information on the groups and how to join is available at the link below to Forum Central's website.

Wellbeing >>

Leeds Asperger Adults' monthly meetings
Leeds Asperger Adults (LAA), a group co-led by autistic adults, are running their monthly meetings in person again, starting this month. They meet on the first Tuesday of every month from 7pm to 8:30pm at Leeds Civic Hall. All of LAA's meetings are free to attend.
For further information including dates and times, please click on the link below to their Facebook page.

LAA >>

Leeds Autism AIM on social media

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Leeds Autism AIM is part of The Advonet Group, an independent advocacy charity in Leeds.
Registered Charity Number: 1126132 | Company Limited by Guarantee No. 04229975

Our mailing address is:
Advonet
Unity Business Centre
26 Roundhay Road
Leeds LS7 1AB

Our mailing list email address is leedsautismaim@advonet.org.uk

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