A2ndVoice

School holidays can be challenging for autistic children and their families. The children and young people are often excluded from clubs, or find them too stressful to attend. The charity A2ndVoice knows this well, and has worked for years to support autistic people and their families with a range of events and activities.

This year, A2ndVoice will run a family club for autistic children, young people, and their siblings. All children will have access to activities where they can play, learn new skills, make friends, and gain independence. These range from a sensory tent – providing a calm, stable environment for its users – to arts and crafts, drumming, coding and a Legoland day trip.

The Three Guineas Trust has funded schemes like this since 2004. Sometimes these projects are the only accessible, safe, fun activities that children can take part in locally, and so organisations like A2ndVoice are crucial.

A2ndVoice started as a self-help group and since then has nurtured an autism-friendly community in southwest London. It provides a wide range of specialised support services to autistic people and their families, and also shares information to inspire and empower its network of parents and carers with autistic children or adults. Additionally, there are pre- and post-natal workshops, spaces for fathers to share their experiences, and a series of meet-ups.

A2ndvoice believes cultural diversity is key to making a difference. It reaches out to African, Caribbean, Asian and the Dual Heritage communities in a bid to tackle specific taboos and myths around autism. It also believes raising awareness is key to defeating stigma, and so supports communities, faith groups, and organisations to learn – bridging the gap between parents and professionals.