New partnership launched to support adults with autism
Thursday, 31 March 2022
A new partnership has been launched in Central Bedfordshire to better support local adults with autism.
We've created Bedfordshire Autism Voice in collaboration with Autism Bedfordshire. Bedfordshire Autism Voice will hold community-based, local meetings to discuss issues that are important to people with autism living in Central Bedfordshire.
Previously, Bedfordshire’s Think Autism Partnership Board (which was introduced in 2009) met every 3 months to discuss services across Bedfordshire. A review carried out in 2019 showed that 60% of people surveyed felt that meetings should focus on local issues and things impacting people’s daily lives. Instead of covering the whole of Bedfordshire, 93% said they would like to try a more local meeting.
As a result, Bedfordshire Autism Voice has been formed. It will hold meetings once every 3 months in locations in the north, south and middle of Central Bedfordshire. Each meeting will be led by the same specialist coordinator to ensure continuity for attendees.
Councillor Carole Hegley, our Executive Member for Adult Social Care said:
Bedfordshire Autism Voice has been introduced to ensure the voices of people with autism are being heard. Feedback showed clearly that people wanted community-based, local meetings so they could talk about local issues affecting them, and that’s exactly what we hope the new partnership will be. We hope individuals will be empowered to have their voices heard and will therefore help make a change.
Adults who are autistic, or a parent or carer for someone with autism, can attend. Autism Bedfordshire will facilitate each meeting, and we’re pleased to support them to do so and in turn, help people with autism lead fulfilling lives.
The next 3 meetings are:
- Biggleswade: Wednesday 27 April, 11am to 12:30pm
- Ampthill: Monday 30 May, 3pm to 4:30pm
- Dunstable: Wednesday 29 June, 11am to 12:30pm
A team of professionals (the Bedfordshire Autism Voice Alliance) will meet every 6 months to support Bedfordshire Autism Voice in making changes.
To find out about meetings in your local area, please email: bedfordshireautismvoice@autismbeds.org.