BOLTON ADULT AUTISM SUPPORT

Our Vision is a society that accepts, involves and understands autistic people. Where all autistic adults and their carers feel they belong.

Our Values go ACROSS the autistic spectrum:-

Acceptance

Communication

Respect

Openness

Sensitivity

Support

In recognition of working to improve the lives of families impacted by autism, in 2020 we were granted the Queens Award for Voluntary Service, the equivalent of an MBE and the very highest award granted to a charity!

How we create our vision:-

Weekly Group Events - facilitating a broad range of social and life skills sessions for autistic adults;

Befriending Service - facilitating bespoke and individualised weekly support for autistic adults on a one to one basis;

Welfare Benefits Advocacy - assisting autistic adults to achieve the correct benefit entitlement, alleviating poverty and improving wellbeing. 

Monthly Carers Only Sessions - facilitating peer support and sharing with those who really understand;

Training Provider - sharing our knowledge of autism with volunteers and partner organisations - 100% of professionals would recommend our training;

Student Work Placement Provider - equipping our region’s future workforce with a greater understanding of autism, and providing them with valuable new experience and skills.

How will your donation help?

BAAS is a small charity that packs a big punch! As with all small charities though, the future and longevity of the charity often feels precarious as the funding environment within the UK becomes ever more restricted. 

There are an estimated 2,224 autistic adults within Bolton, plus their wider family members who are eligible for our support.  Bolton needs BAAS to fly the flag for autism support and to give its autistic community a sense that they belong, when they so often feel marginalised and isolated within society.

Nationally 88% of autistic adults experience poor mental health, suicidal ideation affects 66% of autistic adults with 35% attempting to take their own life. These statistics don't only impact the autistic adults but also their carers and family members who we also support. At BAAS there has been 68% increase in self-reported wellbeing scores by the autistic adults we support, giving peace of mind to their loved ones. We provide a community for some of the most socially isolated, marginalised and misunderstood people within society. Everyone receives non-judgemental support, giving them confidence to live fuller and happier lives.

Let’s hear from one of our service users:

This is Gina’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!”

Gina is just one of the many autistic adults who has benefited from the befriending service we offer at BAAS. As we support over 200 families within Bolton, with your donations, we can continue to help more people like Gina. 

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