Autism Independence

15/10/2026

13/10/2026

💚 Learning Together: Bristol Parent Carers Delivering Service Providers Training

At Autism Independence, we recognise the importance of listening to families and learning from their lived experiences to help us provide more compassionate, inclusive and effective support.

We were pleased to take part in training delivered by Bristol Parent Carers, bringing real-life scenarios to life and exploring how service providers can respond to challenging situations with professionalism, empathy and compassion.

The session also included service mapping across Bristol, helping us strengthen our understanding of the support, services and resources available to children, young people and their families.

By learning from lived experience, sharing knowledge and working collaboratively, we can build stronger connections between services and ensure families feel heard, understood and supported when they need it most.

A big thank you to Bristol Parent Carers for delivering such a valuable and thought-provoking session. 💚

12/10/2026

📣 OCD doesn't take a week off, so why should awareness?

As always, our stance here at OCD-UK is that OCD awareness should take place every week, not just for one week in October.

With that in mind, here are some new awareness plans we have for 2027:

🔸We will continue the projects we already deliver, including our webinar series - inviting OCD professionals and specialists to cover topics about OCD and related disorders

🔸We will be offering one FREE 30-minute lunchtime Q&A per month to educational settings, workplaces, NHS settings and other charities

🔸We will be pushing awareness of OCD in the media and new collaborations

🔸We will be attending new events to raise awareness

We will have more information on the above in the new year, including what key areas we intend to focus on.

-UK

09/10/2026

💚 World Mental Health Day

A little kindness can mean more than we will ever know. 💚

At Autism Independence, we want to remind you of something simple but so important: while we spend so much time caring for others, let’s remember to look after ourselves, too.

🌿 Take a moment to breathe. Give yourself permission to slow down. You don't have to have everything figured out, and you don't have to be strong every single day.

💌 Reach out to that friend you haven't heard from in a while. Send a message, make a phone call, or simply let someone know you're thinking of them. You don't need to do something extraordinary to make a difference.

And most importantly, make room for laughter. Find those little pockets of joy in your day. Share a silly joke, have a giggle over a cup of tea, or enjoy one of those moments when laughter takes over and for a little while, the worries of the world feel lighter.

At Autism Independence, we know how much it matters to feel connected, accepted and understood. We treasure the moments we share with families, colleagues and our community the conversations, the smiles, the shared stories and, yes, the laughter. Because alongside the important work we do, there is always room for joy, warmth and human connection. 💚

Mental health isn't only about getting through the difficult days. It's also about finding the little things that make life feel brighter and the people who remind us that we don't have to face everything alone.

Be kind to yourself. Check in on someone else. Laugh a little louder sometimes. And remember that you matter, too. 💚

With care,
The Autism Independence Team 💚

09/10/2026

💚 10th of October- World Mental Health Day

We stand alongside Mind’s See Me Now campaign, which calls for people to receive the mental health support they need on the day they ask for help. Nobody should have to wait until they reach crisis point before their struggles are taken seriously.

This World Mental Health Day, let's listen without judgement, challenge stigma and speak up for a mental health system that sees the person, not just their needs.

🌱Imagine a world where asking for help is met with understanding, not waiting. 🌱

See Me Now is our campaign to transform the future of mental health support. Everyone should have access to mental health support on the day they reach out.

09/10/2026

💙 Down Syndrome Awareness Month | October

At Autism Independence, we believe that every person deserves to be seen, heard, valued and supported.

This Down Syndrome Awareness Month, we celebrate people with Down syndrome, recognise their strengths and individuality, and highlight the importance of inclusion, understanding and equal opportunities.

Every person has their own unique abilities, interests, hopes and dreams. By challenging stereotypes, promoting acceptance and listening to individuals and their families, we can help create a society where everyone feels included and has the opportunity to thrive.

Let’s celebrate differences, embrace diversity and continue building a more inclusive community for everyone. 💙💛

08/10/2026

Nura is inviting autistic young people, parents/carers and professionals to take part in her important research study, Finding Our Way, exploring the experiences of autistic young people from Global Majority backgrounds as they transition into adulthood.
💬 Your experiences and perspectives matter. By taking part, you could help build a better understanding of the challenges autistic young people and their families face and contribute to meaningful improvements in future services, support and policy.
📢 Please share this post with young people, families, professionals and organisations in your networks. Your share could help Nura reach someone whose voice and experiences need to be heard.
Together, we can help ensure that diverse experiences are represented and that they contribute to shaping more inclusive and responsive services for the future. ❤️
📩 To find out more or express an interest in taking part, please contact Nura Aabe at [email protected].

05/10/2026

05/10/2026

Black History Month is a time to celebrate achievement, resilience, culture and community. ✊🏿

This month, we also want to recognise the experiences of Black autistic people and their families, whose voices and experiences have too often been overlooked or misunderstood.

Autism exists in every community, culture and background. Yet barriers to understanding, accessing support and being heard can look very different for different communities.

At Autism Independence, we believe that listening to lived experiences is essential. By listening, learning and challenging stigma, we can help create a future where every autistic person is seen, valued, respected and supported.

This Black History Month, let’s celebrate Black autistic voices, amplify their experiences and continue working towards a more inclusive community where everyone belongs.

Every voice matters. Every story matters. Every autistic person matters.

01/10/2026

🗣️ Our Learning Disability Annual Health Check Focus Group

A huge thank you to everyone who joined our Focus Group today and shared their experiences of being on the Learning Disability Register and having an Annual Health Check. 💙

It was a really valuable session, filled with honest experiences, important feedback, ideas and insights about what is working well and where things could be improved.

We know that listening to people with lived experience is essential to understanding how services can better meet the needs of people with learning disabilities and their families.

Your experiences and feedback will help us understand what matters most and where there are opportunities to make Annual Health Checks more accessible, inclusive and meaningful. 🩺💬

We are now bringing together all the feedback from the session and will be sharing an update on the findings and key themes once this work has been completed.

Thank you for taking the time to speak openly, share your experiences and help us work towards better health support for people with learning disabilities. ❤️

Your voice matters. Your experience matters.