Jumping for Friendships!!

Aim

I'm skydiving to raise funds for Spectrum Socials, helping autistic children build friendships, confidence and community.

Why I'll be jumping out of a perfectly good plane

On 14th August, I'll be throwing myself out of a plane at 12,000 feet (yes I am regretting this already!) to raise money for a cause I feel passionately about: Supporting autistic children's mental health through reducing social isolation. 

My name is Annabel and I'm a mum of two, a Behaviour Analyst and a former NHS clinician. I have spent around two decades working with autistic children and their families, and throughout my career, I have met countless children who desperately wanted friends and more social opportunities. The impact this had on the children was huge, starting with lack of social confidence and low self-esteem, to social anxiety and worsening mental health. Too often, parents also become socially isolated, sacrificing so much for their kids.

Research consistently tells us that social connection is the single biggest predictor of both physical and mental health, and yet I saw a real lack of provision to support this. 

That's why I created Spectrum Socials, a not-for-profit organisation to support autistic children to build friendships, connections and confidence, improving the wellbeing and mental health of the whole family.

What is Spectrum Socials?

Spectrum Socials provides therapist-led social events for small groups of autistic children and their families. Our events are carefully planned and children are matched by age, communication level and interests for social compatibility. Behaviour analysts and event helpers lead the events, supporting children of all levels of need, contriving social opportunities and gently prompting social interaction.

We run social events all around London and beyond, with visits to zoos, museums, trampoline parks, escape rooms, farms and Legoland. Parents attend too, giving them the chance to meet other families who understand the joys and challenges of raising an autistic child, helping them to build their support network and make new friends themselves. 

We also run therapeutic courses for children from 12 to 16 years old experiencing social anxiety, which use a combination of acceptance and commitment therapy with games and supported social play. Our first course was a girls group, enabling teenage girls to meet other similar girls going through similar struggles. We will continue these, and we are also planning mixed groups and gender divergent groups. 

Why this matters:

It is a common misconception that autistic people sometimes don't need or want friends, but this is absolutely untrue. Our need for social connections is innate and just as true for autistic children as anyone else. But sadly, autistic children and their families experience much higher levels of social isolation than the general population. 

Many of the families we support tell us that they have been unable to find suitable social opportunities and that other holiday clubs or activities are often not appropriate for their child. 

Since we started in early 2025, we have put on over 60 social events, we have over 500 families registered with us, and the feedback from families has been incredible. We have watched children arrive hiding behind their parents and leave laughing and playing with new friends.

How your donation will help:

We want to reach even more children and families, but for Spectrum Socials to be sustainable and accessible to everyone, we rely on grants, fundraising and donations. 

The money raised through this skydive will help us:

• Provide subsidised places for families experiencing financial hardship

• Run more therapist-led social events across London

• Expand our specialist groups for 12 to 16 year olds, including girls groups, gender divergent groups and other underserved young people.

• Reach families who may otherwise be unable to access social opportunities

• £35 covers the cost of a subsidised event place
• £200 covers the cost of a subsidised therapeutic group

Please donate what you can and share with others. Everything raised goes directly to the children and families who need it most.

Why a skydive?

Because if I'm asking people to support a cause I'm passionate about, I felt I should do something that pushes me outside my comfort zone too! Even though it will terrify me, I know that it is nothing compared to the challenges faced every day by the children and families we support.

If jumping out of a plane helps even a few more autistic children find friendship, confidence and community, then it will be worth every second.

Thank you so much for your support.

Annabel
Founder, Spectrum Socials

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 31st August 2026 at 12:00pm