What is Spectrum?
I am setting up a group called Spectrum. I am in the process of setting up this group as a constituted community group with the help of my support network.
I am a neuro diverse adult who is already part of a likeminded community in Portsmouth. We meet once every two weeks through a charity, and Spectrum would like to meet in the weeks in between, as the members themselves have expressed a wish for more opportunities to get together and to meet weekly. It is my vision to make that happen to give people more options..
How your support will help us
It helps us to have a routine and it would help us to know the group would be held at the same meeting place each week so are working to get our space organised. This would help us to fund games for both inside and outside, arts and crafts, some sensory equipment and books and resources on living with autism.
More information
The project will be based in Portsmouth in a central location (so accessible to some of the most deprived areas) and this is currently being sourced, however there are options to meet some local places (such as HIVE Portsmouth in central library) as we decide on a permanent location.
Spectrum is a social peer support group for neuro diverse adults, and all are welcome. It will be a relaxed social group where people can meet and play games and enjoy completing tasks together. The reason why we want to spend the grant on games and activities is that we find doing a task together breaks the ice, a better way to socialise and communicate and is more accessible. With autism our abilities vary so it will be nice to have a variety of games for a more diverse group of people to be able to interact more easily.
Impact
I have seen a dramatic difference in the members of my community over the years including people who start the group being shy, reserved and uncomfortable. People have then become communicative, outgoing and very comfortable being themselves. In addition, I have witnessed people stepping up to organise activities (as an example). Opening Spectrum will extend the reach of this impact while also have no waiting list.
Spectrum is open to both diagnosed and self-diagnosed people with autism.
Spectrum will be a group where we grow a community. There are many neuro diverse people who will never go out of their homes, and feel isolated and this group is going to create a safe space for people to be themselves and feel safe to express themselves. People who are neuro diverse may struggle socialy ,have low confidence and self-esteem so to meet with others gives us a feeling of community and helps build up confidence.
We want people to feel part of a community and we have an open amazon wish list for Spectrum that members can contribute ideas and activities we collectively want to do together. This means we are curating a group that is for the community run by the community. Peer support is a very valuable resource for us to grow and flourish.
As confidence grows in the group and people feel safe and included, we want to make sure that we remain accessible and diverse and are able to talk about people’s challenges and issues. In addition, we and are able to effectively signpost and support people to other services, so-individual’s support network grow and expand.
Thank you!
Emmy