We take time to listen and understand
We do this this thoroughly and patiently by getting to know each person as a whole, as this will inform our practice and helps us work together to design a service that best suits each person’s needs and helps them to achieve their goals.
Community Resource Centres
We have Community Resource Centres in the following locations:
Edinburgh, Belfast, Co Wicklow, Co Dublin, North West England and Isle of Man.
At Community Resource Centres for some people, the emphasis will be on hobbies and leisure pursuits, for others it may include employment skills and activities. We provide personalised and flexible support from trained staff up to full time support every day.
In England and Scotland, we have pioneered addition flexible ways of working through our Community Resource Centres, offering support seven days a week between 8am and 8pm, both through centres and out in the community. This means that people accessing services create their own bespoke package of support – designed with them, not for them.
Residential and Supported Living
Supporting autistic people in their homes, we are there for people who need 24-7 support and for those that just need a helping hand less often.
Supported Living supports autistic people to live life as independently as possible. Individuals have their own homes, and the reassurance that on-site support is on hand should they need it.
Residential Living is there for autistic people who need to live in a home where help is constantly on hand and where they can find stability and reassurance.
Community Outreach
Our flexible, person-centred Outreach Service is autism specific and can provide you with a range of support which may include some of the following:
- 1:1 or 2:1 Support Worker(s)
- Support to access recreational activities
- Support to and from day opportunities / school / work
- Support with your health and wellbeing
- Opportunities for social interaction
- Support with communication skills
- Daily living skills which will empower you to cook, clean or stay organised
- Chances to learn new skills, gain independence, increase self-confidence and control
- Mentoring, advice and guidance
Short Breaks
Short Breaks for autistic people provide a safe, flexible and secure environment based around the needs of each individual and are available in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Everyone who uses the short break service benefits from a tailored transition into their break, as no two people and no two breaks are ever the same.
Short Breaks can be supported for autistic people wishing to travel in the UK, Ireland and further afield. Our staff are autism specialists who take time to listen and understand each person’s needs and what they would like to do or achieve during their holiday. This enables us to offer the right levels of support and make desirable activities and excursions available.
One Stop Shops
Number 6 One Stop Shop first began supporting autistic adults in 2005 in Edinburgh and Lothians. It was (and still is) an innovative way to provide support, advice and social opportunities to autistic people. The service quickly grew and we now support over 7,000 autistic people across three Scottish One Stop Shops in Edinburgh, Inverness and Perth and 21 High Street in Cardiff, Wales.
From their bases and through community hubs One Stop Shops offer support and services to autistic people throughout the following areas: Edinburgh; Lothians; Scottish Borders; Highland; Perth & Kinross; Angus; Dundee; Cardiff and South East Wales.
We've helped people... and we can help you too
If you, or someone you know, is in need of help and support, or would benefit from taking advantage of the support we can offer, please get in touch and someone at Autism Initiatives will be able to advise on your next steps.
“Nearly seventy, we are aware that we will not always be around to look after our daughter, but we know she is getting the specialist care she needs” – Parent