Bristol Autism Support - Family wellbeing activities
2
The Pitch
Problem statement
BAS was founded by the parent of a child with autism, it is run by parents and carers and is founded on peer support. At any given time we support ~3000 families. We empower parents and carers by providing information about local and national services, benefits, interventions and therapies. Although we are able to reach many parents/carers, the need is growing and increasing numbers of families are being signposted to the charity for support. There are now >3000 children on the waiting list to be assessed for ASD in Bristol and during that time parents are left often isolated and confused.
Solution
The aim of this project is to bring our community together, in person, to create friendships and a stronger support network. As well as supporting our core mission and enabling us to reach a greater number of families, this funding will support us to deliver the services which focus most on reducing the isolation of parents/carers and their children. Family activities were the top ask from parents and carers to add to current services. BAS is working with Gympanzees to hold activity sessions and with other local groups to facilitate forest school, animal therapy, sensory sessions and parent and carer wellbeing activities, such as walking support groups held in local parks/nature reserves.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
In June, we celebrated the 10 year anniversary of the very 1st support meeting - a small meetup in a pub in south Bristol. Our December 2021 user survey told us that parents/carers most appreciated BAS for helping them feel that they are not alone (83%) and gaining a better understanding of autism (74%). Our 2022 survey is open for responses until end Dec but to date we have seen an increase in both metrics; not alone (93%) and a better understanding of autism (82%). Since incorporating as a CIO in 2019 BAS has significantly increased its offering and volunteer base as well as being nominated for a number of awards including a Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (to be presented in Jan).
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Event facilitator time @£20 per hour x10 2hr events | £400 |
| Event fees x 10 events @£200 per event | £2,000 |
| Volunteer expenses for 10 events | £100 |
Beneficiaries
1,000 people
Expected impact
BAS currently provides a telephone helpline, training courses, weekly support groups, peer befriending, an online community, and information online, in person and over the phone. This project is focussed on increasing our family events and well-being days and enable us to support more people in person. Our 2022 Impact Survey highlighted that whilst we supported families to feel less isolated, they wanted to make more mutually supportive friendships, we believe this project will help build stronger relationships across our community enabling friendships to build. As with all our services, we will monitor attendance for each event but for this project in particular we will also measure impact through an interim impact survey particularly focussed on mutually supportive relationships and friendships built as a direct result of our family events and activities.
Track record
We have 3200 Facebook Group members, 2100 on our mailing list & 1000 paid members. We have completed projects with a number of funders (/www.bristolautismsupport.org/our-funders/) including most recently: - The National Lottery Community Fund - Recruiting and training new volunteers. - Bristol, North Somerset & South Glos CCG. From Jan to Oct 2022 we completed 12 x 6-week courses including “New to Autism” & “Managing Distressed Behaviour,” with ~170 attendees. - The J & M Britton Charitable Trust - to setup and run a Helpline. "Parents need fair, supportive sources of safe information which BAS has in abundance. They are careful not to encourage a specific person/organisation but set people on the right path to secure what is right for their children.” “I was signposted to BAS and was very impressed and relieved to find an organisation and website which finally addressed my child’s needs and my needs as a parent. Previously I’ve felt totally alone and with no prospect of help.."