Through the Increasing Understanding of Autism Programme, we are aiming to make Scotland a more accessible, inclusive and understanding place for autistic people to learn, work and live. The programme consists of a marketing campaign, managed by the Scottish Government, and ten funded charity projects. The programme is directed by autistic people’s lived experiences, governed by the Steering Committee and supported by the Autism Advisory Forum. The funded charities are also partners in this programme, helping to influence the direction of the national marketing campaign and promote the campaign at a local level.
In partnership with the Scottish government, Inspiring Scotland will distribute £400,000 of funding across ten charities in Scotland.
Phase Two of the Increasing Understanding of Autism Programme funding supports projects that do either or both of the following:
Phase 1 of the Increasing Understanding of Autism Programme is now complete. A high-level summary and evaluation of Phase 1 of the programme (December 2019 – September 21) can be found below:
This programme is a direct response to the Scottish Government’s 2017 Engagement Exercise, which emphasised the need to raise understanding of autism amongst the non-autistic population.
The consultation highlighted the importance of increasing understanding, awareness and acceptance of autism, reducing autism stereotypes and building a society which is accessible, inclusive and values neurodiversity.
The programme aims to raise understanding across Scottish society about the needs of autistic people and the challenges that they face, as well as highlighting the strengths and diversity that autistic people bring to society.
Find out more about The Different Minds. One Scotland campaign.
Inspiring Scotland have been working with the Scottish Government since 2016 to develop support for autistic people, their families, their carers and others supporting the autistic community.
The current fund is a successor to the Autism and Innovation fund. Download the final progress report below.
Webpage image credit: Perth Autism Support
The Foundations of Leadership Wellbeing course will explore what it means to cultivate wellbeing and it’s connections to emotional intelligence. It will also share tools and practices for leaders to use, so they can develop their own well-being competencies and bring them to life in their organisational culture.
Key information:
At least 1 in 100 people in Scotland are autistic. Through the Increasing Understanding of Autism programme we are aiming to make Scotland a more accessible, inclusive and understanding place for autistic people to learn, work and live.? Inspiring Scotland is a Scottish Government delivery partner and we are delighted to have been involved in
Read MoreAt Inspiring Scotland, we are very aware of the pressure that the increased cost-of living is having on people and the funded charities we support. Throughout Autumn 2022 our fund teams gathered and shared information from portfolio partners about: How concerned they are about cost-of-living crisis for people they support, their organisations, their staff and
Read MoreInspiring Scotland supports charity partners working across a number of thematic funds. Part of our work ensuring individuals can lead full and fulfilling lives focuses on making Scotland a more accessible, inclusive and understanding place for autistic people to learn, work and live. Hearing from people with lived experience is central to this work and
Read MoreCentral Advocacy Partners (CAP) provides multiple advocacy and inclusion services for autistic people and people with learning disabilities in Forth Valley. This project will support the young people in the ‘Autistic’n’Awesome’ group to deliver workshops for other young autistic people, to increase their skills and confidence. centraladvocacypartners.org.uk @centraladvocacy
Learn MorePerth Autism Support SCIO support autistic children/young people and their families to reach their full potential through training and social, mental health and transitions support. This project will develop an employability programme for autistic teens, offering training to local businesses and facilitating interest-based work experience placements for autistic young people. perthautismsupport.org.uk @Perth_Autism
Learn MoreATLAS aims to increase autism awareness and acceptance in local communities across Scotland. They deliver training developed from autistic people’s experiences to createcommunities where autistic people and their carers feel valued, respected and safe. This project will develop and deliver autism training across Scotland and create content for their Facebook page that increases the acceptance
Learn MoreWe work with experts from the voluntary, public, private and academic sectors. Get in touch if you want to help us build a better Scotland.
Contact usA note on privacy
Inspiring Scotland will only use the personal details you provide here to respond to your enquiry and will not use them for any purpose, unless you give permission and agreed during any follow-up discussions.
Your details will be held on the server of our third party website provider host for 3 months but not for longer than is necessary, and will not be added to any marketing databases. By completing this form you are agreeing to the terms of Inspiring Scotland’s Privacy Statement