I AM - Celebrating Autism in Greater Manchester

I AM - Celebrating Autism in Greater Manchester Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from I AM - Celebrating Autism in Greater Manchester, Charitable organisation, 1114 Chester Road, Manchester.

❤️ Autism support across Greater Manchester
👨‍👩‍👧 SEND families | Autistic teens & adults
📍 Groups • Advice • Advocacy • Community
🤝 Real support, not just awareness We provide direct support for people with autistic spectrum conditions, including Asperger Syndrome/Higher Functioning Autism through our Aspirations Project and Autism Lifeskills Projects, as well as services for parents & carers through our Autism Information and Family Support Project.

AI is everywhere right now… but what does that actually mean for us? 🤖”Be honest…It feels like AI has just taken over ov...
19/03/2026

AI is everywhere right now… but what does that actually mean for us? 🤖”

Be honest…

It feels like AI has just taken over overnight, doesn’t it?

People are using it for everything:
👉 Looking up health worries
👉 Writing essays for college
👉 Finding recipe ideas
👉 Even helping with work

And yeah… it can feel a bit overwhelming.

Especially if you’re autistic or neurodivergent and already trying to figure out where you fit in work or education.

But here’s something we want to say clearly 👇

This doesn’t mean you’re being left behind.

Because the things AI can’t do well?

✨ Think differently
✨ Spot patterns others miss
✨ Hyperfocus on something you care about
✨ Notice the small details

That’s where so many of you shine.

At I AM, we see it all the time in our community -
When the right support is there, people don’t just “cope”…

👉 They find their thing and run with it.

So yeah, AI is changing things.

But it might also open up new ways of working that actually suit neurodivergent people better.

And you’re not figuring it out on your own - we’re all in this together.

💬 Let’s chat:
How are you feeling about AI right now - curious, excited, worried… or a bit of everything?

👍 Like if this feels familiar
💬 Drop a comment (no pressure, even just one word!)
🔁 Share so others don’t feel alone

It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week ❤A chance to recognise the strengths, perspectives, and experiences of neurodiverge...
18/03/2026

It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week ❤

A chance to recognise the strengths, perspectives, and experiences of neurodivergent people… but also to understand the realities behind it too.

Because being neurodivergent isn’t just about strengths - it’s also about navigating a world that doesn’t always “get it”. A world that often feels alien.

So this week at I AM, we want to hear from you 👇

💬 What’s one thing you wish people better understood about being neurodivergent?
🙌 What’s something you’re proud of that others might not see?
😂 Or even… what’s something people always get wrong?
💡Name one thing that your very good at?

Every experience matters - and every voice helps build understanding.

👇 Share yours in the comments and let’s learn from each other.

Should we stop saying "autism spectrum”?A leading UK researcher, Uta Frith, of UCL, has said the autism spectrum may hav...
18/03/2026

Should we stop saying "autism spectrum”?

A leading UK researcher, Uta Frith, of UCL, has said the autism spectrum may have become too broad - suggesting it now includes people whose needs might be better explained by things like ADHD, anxiety, or sensory differences, and has become meaningless.

She also questions later diagnoses (especially in women and teens), saying this group is growing “at a frightening rate.”

At the same time, EHCP numbers in the UK have nearly tripled in 10 years.

💬 Let’s talk about it - respectfully:

Does the term “autism spectrum” still work for you?
Did your diagnosis feel accurate… or confusing?
If you were diagnosed later in life - did it help you understand yourself?
Do labels help or do they hold people back?

At I AM, we know one thing for sure:
👉 No two autistic people are the same.
👉 And lived experience matters just as much as research.

So we want to hear from you.

🧠 Tag someone who has a perspective on this
💬 Share your experience in the comments
🔁 Let’s open this up - because this conversation affects real lives

From “too loud, too bright, too fast”… to the brightest stage in the world Huge congratulations to Chloé Zhao on her inc...
17/03/2026

From “too loud, too bright, too fast”… to the brightest stage in the world

Huge congratulations to Chloé Zhao on her incredible success at the 2026 Oscars for Hamnet 👏🎬

And let’s not gloss over this - she’s not just winning awards…
she’s making history.

Chloé previously became the first Asian woman and only the second woman ever to win Best Director at the Oscars - and now she’s back again at the very top, proving that wasn’t a one-off. That’s legacy.

She’s also spoken openly about being neurodivergent - and not just in a “this is a challenge” way, but in a this is my superpower way.

She’s talked about:
💡 Picking up on emotional detail others might miss
💡 Sensing when something doesn’t quite “feel right”
💡 Creating environments that actually work for her brain - not against it

And honestly? That hits home.

Because so many autistic people, ADHDers, and neurodivergent people we work with every day at I AM know exactly what that feels like.

The world can be:
🔊 too loud
💡 too bright
⚡ too fast

…but that same sensitivity can also mean:
❤️ deeper empathy
🎨 stronger creativity
🔍 incredible attention to detail

Chloé didn’t succeed despite being neurodivergent.
She succeeded with it. Because of it.

And that’s the message we want every autistic person, every SEND family, every neurodivergent individual to hear today:

👉 You don’t need to “fix” how your brain works to achieve incredible things.
👉 Your differences aren’t a barrier - they can be your edge.
👉 There is space for you at every level - even the Oscars.

At I AM, we see that same creativity, sensitivity and brilliance in our members every single day. Whether it’s on stage, behind the scenes, in conversations, or just being unapologetically themselves ❤

So today, we celebrate Chloé Zhao…
…but we’re also celebrating you.

Because the next history-maker?
It might already be part of this community.

🎉 Today’s the Day - The I AM Spring Ball is Here! 🎉After months of planning, countless hours of work, and the incredible...
13/03/2026

🎉 Today’s the Day - The I AM Spring Ball is Here! 🎉

After months of planning, countless hours of work, and the incredible efforts of our volunteers, members, supporters and the whole I AM team…🪁

Tonight it finally happens.

The I AM Autism Spring Ball 2026 takes place tonight from 6:30pm at Emirates Old Trafford, bringing our amazing community together for a night of celebration, connection, music and joy.

This annual event is always something special. It’s the moment where everyone who supports I AM - families, members, volunteers, friends and partners - comes together to celebrate what this community is all about.

And we can’t wait. ❤

✨ There are still a few last-minute tickets available.
If you’d like to join us tonight, please call:

📞 0161 866 8483

And if you can’t make it this year, you can still be part of the night by supporting the work I AM does for autistic people and families across Greater Manchester.

❤️ Donate here:
https://donate.stripe.com/aFacMZ5rQ6NjbVK1qef3a03

Every donation helps make more moments like tonight possible.

To everyone attending, supporting, volunteering and cheering us on - thank you for being part of the I AM community.

Let’s make it a night to remember. ✨

⏳ 24 hours - Final Call - Last Tickets RemainingThe I AM Autism Spring Ball is almost here.This Friday 13th at Emirates ...
12/03/2026

⏳ 24 hours - Final Call - Last Tickets Remaining

The I AM Autism Spring Ball is almost here.
This Friday 13th at Emirates Old Trafford we’ll be bringing together our incredible community for a night of celebration, connection and joy.

✨ An unforgettable evening
✨ Music, entertainment and great company
✨ Supporting autistic people to thrive

Events like this help I AM continue providing life-changing support, programmes and opportunities for autistic individuals and families.

If you’ve been thinking about coming… now is the moment.

🎟 Final tickets available:
https://i-am-autism.org.uk/i-am-spring-ball-2026/

And if you can’t attend but still want to support the work we do, you can donate using this link:
https://donate.stripe.com/aFacMZ5rQ6NjbVK1qef3a03

Let’s make it a night to remember. ❤

11/03/2026

48 Hours to Go… ⏳✨

This time on Friday, the Emirates Old Trafford will be buzzing.
Music playing. Dresses and suits out. People laughing.

And most importantly - a room full of autistic people, families, and supporters celebrating together.

The I AM Spring Ball isn’t just a night out.

It’s what happens when a community comes together and says autistic people deserve to be celebrated, supported, and seen.

Every ticket helps fund real, practical support for autistic individuals and SEND families across Greater Manchester - from 1-to-1 support to community events and opportunities that change lives.

So with just two days to go, the question is simple…

Will you be in the room?

🗓 Friday 13 March
📍Emirates Old Trafford
✨An evening of celebration, connection, and community

Get your tickets while you still can.
👉 https://i-am-autism.org.uk/i-am-spring-ball-2026/

10/03/2026

Huge thanks to Joanne Farrell and the staff from the amazing The Windsor Castle in Stockport for sharing this brilliant video supporting the I AM Spring Ball ❤️

If you’re looking for a great night out in Manchester that actually makes a difference, this is it.

On Friday 13 March, the I AM Spring Ball takes over Emirates Old Trafford for a night of red carpet arrivals, a sparkling reception, dinner, live entertainment and plenty of dancing – all to raise funds that support autistic people and their families across Greater Manchester.

Every ticket helps fund youth groups, social activities and vital 1-to-1 support that gives autistic people opportunities to connect, build confidence and thrive.

Take a look at the video and if you haven’t booked yet… there’s still time to join us.

And if you can’t attend on the night, you can still support the work of I AM Autism by making a donation using the same link below.

📍 Emirates Old Trafford
📅 Friday 13 March
🎟 Tickets or donations
https://i-am-autism.org.uk/i-am-spring-ball-2026/

10/03/2026

3 Days to Go - A Night That Changes Lives ❤️

This Friday night, something special is happening at Emirates Old Trafford.

The I AM Autism Spring Ball isn’t just another charity dinner.
It’s a room full of people who believe autistic individuals deserve opportunity, support, and a community that truly understands them.

And right now… a few seats are still available.

Your ticket helps fund real support across Greater Manchester - from one-to-one mentoring to life skills, social groups and opportunities that help autistic people thrive.

But it’s also a genuinely brilliant night out.

✨ Great food
✨ Music and entertainment
✨ Inspiring stories from the community
✨ A chance to meet people who actually care about making a difference

If you’ve ever thought about supporting I AM, this is the night to do it.

Bring friends, family, colleagues, or grab a last table.

Because by Saturday morning, the tickets will be gone and the impact will already be happening.

👉 Reserve your spot now and be part of a night that truly matters.
https://i-am-autism.org.uk/i-am-spring-ball-2026/

Address

1114 Chester Road
Manchester
M320HL

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:15pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+441618668483

Website

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