Autism Alliance & Special Events
Not only are we constantly working to raise awareness about ASC in as many places as we can (both virtually and through community drop-ins), we also facilitate an Autism Alliance, where members of the ASC community, their families, friends and carers, along with professionals, can come together, share their experiences of ASC and feed into the development of ASC services in Derbyshire County.
In addition to the Autism Alliance, we also host a series of special events throughout the year.
Find out meeting dates for the Autism Alliance:
Autism Alliance - first meeting!
Wednesday 21st October 2020, 3-4pm.
This meeting will take place through Zoom.
In this first meeting, you will get to meet the teams behind Autism Information & Advice and Living Well with Autism, hear from guest speaker Ben Holmes (who will be talking about ASC and ADHD) and share your experiences of living with ASC, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown. To join the meeting, simply call or email us to book your space – we look forward to meeting you!
Autism Alliance - second meeting.
Wednesday 20th January 2021, 3-4pm.
This meeting will take place through Zoom.
At the second meeting, our guest speaker will be Felicity from Living Well with Autism. Felicity will be talking about Women and ASC and how ASC presents and is experienced differently by women compared to men. We will also be joined by Lynn Webster, Citizens Advice Mid Mercia’s Digital Training Coordinator who will share the details of her free HMRC benefits checks service. There will also be plenty of time devoted to peer support and open discussion.
Autism Alliance - third meeting.
Wednesday 21st April 2021, 3-4pm.
This meeting will take place through Zoom.
At our third meeting, our guest speaker will be Dr Simon Bignell – Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Derby, who specialises in research into Autism, ADHD, and Technology-Enhanced Learning. Simon will talk to the group about the research the university have been doing into ASC and what developments are in progress to further support individuals living with ASC. As always, there will also be time devoted to peer support and open discussion.
Autism Alliance - fourth meeting.
Wednesday 21st July 2021, 3-4pm.
This meeting will take place through Zoom.
At our fourth meeting our guest speaker will be Laurie Morgen – author of Travelling by Train: The Journey of an Autistic Mother. Laurie will be talking about her experiences as an Autistic mother and mother of children living with Autism and how she has turned her experiences into a career as an author, speaker and workshop facilitator specialising in Autism. There will also be plenty of time for discussion and peer support.
Find out dates of special events:
CHRISTMAS PARTY & virtual magic show!
Monday 21st December 2020, 4-5pm.
This event will take place through Zoom.
We are hosting a virtual Christmas party where magician and entertainer Paul Brown from Magical Mayhem will deliver a live, interactive magic show straight to your living room! Bring along friends and family to enjoy this fun, free event. The show is for all ages and abilities and Paul will use Makaton alongside performing his magic to ensure that guests of all abilities feel and experience the magic.
Q&A with Felicity - an experienced ASC counsellor.
Wednesday 24th February 2021, 3-4pm.
This meeting will take place through Zoom.
TBC…
Employability special! In collaboration with Autism Plus.
Wednesday 24th March 2021, 3-4pm.
This meeting will take place through Zoom.
TBC…
Autism Passport public consultation.
May 2021…
This meeting may take place through Zoom.
TBC…