Glasgow-based project
A new mentoring project to support autistic adults has been launched with three years funding from the National Lottery.
The National Autistic Society Scotland said the project will work with up to 90 autistic adults living in the Glasgow, providing tailored, person-centered support to help improve individuals’ wellbeing and reach their personal goals.
Individual support will be delivered by volunteer mentors, working towards empowering the participant to achieve personal goals. These could be finding a job, starting a business, improving money management, or more social aspirations, such as going out with friends.
Goals will be entirely user-led, with the people supported central to setting these. The programme mentors will work closely to create an action plan to empower participants to achieve these goals themselves.
Each mentorship programme will take place over nine months, with a group celebration event taking place after they have completed their sessions.
In addition, the participants will be offered access to weekly online social activities, which aim to tackle isolation and loneliness and provide peer to peer support.
Rob Holland, director of the National Autistic Society Scotland said: “We’re delighted to receive funding from National Lottery to run this new and exciting programme of support for autistic adults in Glasgow.
“Our focus is on empowering autistic adults by supporting them to work towards goals of their choosing.
“We also believe this will be a really positive experience for volunteer mentors, who will be given the unique opportunity to develop their skills and contribute to supporting people in their community.”
Kate Still, National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland chair, added: “National Lottery funding can make amazing things happen in local communities across the country.
"This project delivered by National Autistic Society Scotland, is a great example of community activity in action, showing just what can be achieved when people come together for a common cause or to help others.
"National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is helping to support this vital work and to help communities thrive.”
