Drop in to support autistic people in Derbyshire
People across Derby and Derbyshire are being invited to join drop-in events to learn how to support their friends, family and colleagues who are autistic or may be autistic.
An information day will be held at the Community Room at the Derbion Shopping Centre in Derby on Thursday 3 April from 10am to 4pm.
This is being organised by Citizens Advice Mid Mercia, which provides the Autism Advice and Information Service for Derby and Derbyshire.
The drop in day will include people from the Autism Advice and Information Service who will be hosting discussion and activities to promote and explain autism acceptance.
There will also be people from Derby City Life Links and from Derby Living Well, which both provide mental health support, and from Derby Universal Carers Service.
The event is being organised as part of Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month, which is promoted by the National Autistic Society.
Craig Kennady, chair of Derby and Derbyshire Autism Partnership Board works with the local NHS as an “expert by experience”.
He said: “Autism affects people in different ways but everyone can help, whether in a work situation, at school, college or with friends and family.
“Small adjustments can make a big difference for autistic people – allowing them to play a full role at work or school and to achieve their potential.
“Find out more during this week of awareness events in Derbyshire.”
Anna Tyson, autism service manager for Citizens Advice Mid Mercia, added: “We want to use this week of activities to encourage people to support autistic people to feel welcome and valued.
“If you know someone who is autistic or who has additional needs then please ask them if there is anything you can do to help them feel more comfortable.
“That goes a long way to making an autistic person feel accepted and valued. It also helps the autistic person to be their true self.”
Other activities are being organised by Autism East Midlands, a charity that offers services and support for autistic children, adults and families across the East Midlands, including Derbyshire.
Activities include:
- Wednesday 2 April – live online Q&A event to answer questions about autism, whether you’re autistic, a parent, a professional, or just want to learn more – book your place via Eventbrite
- Wednesday 2 April – Swadpod, a community podcast for Swadlincote, will be sharing a podcast in conversation with Gray Rodgers, an autism “expert by experience”
- Thursday 3 April – Zoom hangout for autistic adults – 6pm to 7.30pm – Online via Zoom – Hosted by Autism East Midlands – autismhub@aem.org.uk
- Every Friday – Neurohub drop-in sessions – 10.30am to 1.30pm – Monkey Park Community Café, Chesterfield – Hosted by Fairplay – neurohub@fair-play.co.uk
- Tues 1 April – Emotional-based School Avoidance Support Workshop for Parents/carers – 5.30pm to 7pm – Clough Street, Buxton – Hosted by Zink – neurohub@zink.org.uk
- Sat 12 April – Trip to Crich Museum for adults – Hosted by Autism East Midlands – autismhub@aem.org.uk
- Weds 16 April – Online Zoom workshop on Autism and Claiming Disability Living Allowance – 7pm to 8.30pm – Hosted by Autism East Midlands – lesley.lock@aem.org.uk
- Sat 26 April – Family Support Hub: Sensory play, lunch and indoor/outdoor fun with families – 10am to 3pm – Mundy Street, Heanor – Hosted by Autism East Midlands – Steve.McKinley@aem.org.uk
- Fri 2 May – Impact of anxiety on school attendance and engagement – 1pm to 2pm – Malcolm Street, Derby – Hosted by St James Centre – neurohub@stjamescentre.org
- Neurohubs, which are welcoming local spaces for neurodivergent children and young people aged between 0 to 25, will also be welcoming people in Buxton, Ripley, Derby and Chesterfield over the month.
Craig is also due to appear as a guest speaker at the 1 April weekly staff meeting of NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board, as part of training and awareness raising in autism for NHS staff.
If you are an autistic person and are interested in supporting the NHS and its partners in providing services as an “expert by experience”, please contact NHS Derby and Derbyshire via ddicb.enquiries@nhs.net.