Winning the Big Lottery!
The £548,622 Investing in Communities grant awarded to the 5 year ‘Get Set 4 Autism’ initiative, will help in providing post diagnosis support to families with children up to the age of 18 who are on the autism spectrum.
Delivered in partnership with Autism Argyll, the project aims to help reduce feelings of isolation which can be heightened by families living with autism in rural areas. It will promote a greater understanding of autism, improve communication between parents and professionals and ultimately equip parents with the information and practical skills to enable them to better support their child.
Charlene Tait, Director of Development at Scottish Autism said: “We are delighted with this substantial funding grant from the Big Lottery which will enable us to establish this new initiative. Families living in rural areas have it particularly tough simply as it is much harder to access resources and support. We are excited to be delivering this model and hope that if it’s successful in providing post diagnostic support, it could be rolled out to other areas in Scotland.”
Alison Leask from Autism Argyll said: “This generous funding grant is fantastic news. We know about the sense of isolation which exists locally amongst many families who have children with autism. Contact with both professionals and other families who are experiencing similar challenges can be rare and, as a result, many currently feel like they are left to cope alone. Get Set 4 Autism aims to overcome these issues and be empowering for parents, offering the guidance and support that their family needs to flourish."
Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn, said: “I am delighted that Scottish Autism, together with Autism Argyll, is one of the latest groups to receive an award from our Investing in Communities fund. This is life changing money that will benefit those people and communities most in need. This grant will make a big difference where it is needed most and I wish the charity every success as it goes on to develop and expand its project.”
The Get Set 4 Autism project will provide mobile support to around 200 families in Argyll and Bute and has been designed in consultation with a range of relevant professionals and statutory bodies. Families will have access to a network of support including having access to our online e-learning programme ‘Right Click’ as well as further resources from Autism Argyll and other local bodies.
