BOLTON ADULT AUTISM SUPPORT

What is Bolton Adult Autism Support (BAAS)?

• BAAS is a Bolton based charity, formed in 2012, that aims to support the young adults, their families, and the wider community affected by Autism.

• We provide an effective and reliable information service through drop-in sessions, workshops, companionship and more.

• We aim to help break down barriers faced by those with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs) that prevent them from enjoying a healthy, meaningful and dignified life.

• We listen to, and respect the views and opinions of those that come to us for support, and actively involve them in any decisions we make which may affect them. 

• In recognition of services to the autistic community, in June 2020 BAAS was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE of voluntary organisations.

• We encourage autistic adults to be themselves in a safe, supportive environment, with no fear of judgment. We embrace and accept them for who they really are.

What is befriending?

• Befriending is a national mission to reduce social isolation and loneliness amongst some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

• At BAAS, we offer a befriending service. We match volunteers with autistic adults to form a positive befriending relationship. 

• The befriender gives ongoing support for the duration of the relationship.

• The befriender and the befriended spend two hours a week together, giving the autistic adult some really valuable social time, and opportunities to try new things, work towards goals and reach their aspirations whilst having the support of their befriender.

How will your donation help?

• Currently our budget for these befriending visits is very limited which impacts the amount of activities that can be done, especially with the ever increasing cost of living crisis.

• With your donations we can give new experiences to those autistic adults who use our befriending service. 

• With a higher budget we can more easily help autistic adults work towards their goals and allow them to go places and try things they might not be able to do on their own.

• At the moment our budget barely covers a cup of coffee, but with your help we can help provide new and exciting experiences for our service users on these befriending visits.

Let’s hear from one of our service users:

This is Anita’s story:

“After having a support worker (joining the befriending service) felt like the next step and something I should try. It was important to me that the person I was matched with understood autism, as I didn’t have anyone in my life who understands me. I worried it might be another relationship I struggled to deal with, I was also a little unsure of what having a befriender was actually about. I feel very comfortable with both Leanne (befriender) and Vicky (the befriending coordinator), and don’t feel like I have to try and pretend to be someone else. This has helped me build my confidence in sharing my thoughts and feelings, rather than bottling things up which has in the past led to me having anxiety and meltdowns.. Leanne and I have got to know each other a bit at a time, at a pace I’ve felt comfortable with. My overall confidence has grown, and I feel able to try more new things. If you're unsure whether befriending is right for you, my advice would be to just take the plunge and give it a try!”

Anita is just one of the many autistic adults who has benefited from the befriending service we offer at BAAS. And with your donations, we can continue to help more people like Anita. 

Why is supporting autistic people in your community important?

• The National Autistic Society’s definition of autism is “a lifelong developmental condition that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. They also affect how the person makes sense of the world around them”

• Oftentimes, in order for someone with autism to conform with societal norms they will mask and cover-up their autistic symptoms. This is not healthy and can be a cause of stress, anxiety, burn-out, and even suicidal ideation.

• It is estimated that there are over 2000 autistic adults living in Bolton right now. That’s 2000 people AND their families that could benefit from your support.

Thank you for all of your support, it is really appreciated by Bolton’s Autistic community :)