Scotland
South Lanarkshire Branch
November 2020
South Lanarkshire Branch Newsletter As your local branch of the National Autistic Society we wanted to take this opportunity to share the latest news on what we have been involved in during lockdown. Once progress through the Scottish Government’s route map allows face to face activities to
start again, we hope to continue to produce these updates. If anyone would like further information or to get involved please contact us on southlan@nas.org.uk or by phone on 07483 012438 - the phone is open every Tuesday 10am to 2pm unless a public holiday.
Upcoming events The events are free, but you must book a place. You can use the links below. Q&A with Dr Lisa Cameron MP 2pm to 3pm, Friday 27 November 2020 https://www.trybooking.co.uk/VDR
www.autism.org.uk
Local issues Before and during the lockdown period the branch has been involved in local issues which affect the autistic community. A recent example of this was when car parks were closed at parks and some local beauty spots to discourage travel. While the Scottish Government allowed autistic people to travel to these spots if it helped with wellbeing, several got in touch to say the closure of car parks caused travel difficulties. We wrote to South Lanarkshire Council and several local politicians and managed to secure a solution. Should we move back into full lockdown, we hope that they will make sure suitable arrangements are in place and people know about them. We also raised this issue at our virtual forum of Scottish branches which led to several other branches taking the issue up with their own local authorities. If local issues are affecting you, please do not hesitate to contact David or Andy.
Lisa Cameron MP During lockdown, the branch has continued to meet with local organisations and representatives using the various technologies available to us. One of which was a meeting with Dr Lisa Cameron. Lisa is the MP for the East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow area of South Lanarkshire. She is also the chair of the AllParty Parliamentary Group for Disabilities at Westminster and the vice chair of the AllParty Parliamentary Group for autism also in Westminster.
www.autism.org.uk
At the meeting, we learned more about the committees within Government. Although many day to day issues which impact on the lives of autistic people are devolved to the Scottish Government, Lisa is keen to support the branch and residents with autism-related issues within the community. We are currently undertaking several pieces of work with Lisa to help make South Lanarkshire as autism-friendly as possible. Book a place to come and meet Lisa on 27 November (details on p1).
Online groups Like most organisations, we’ve faced challenges brought about by lockdown from reduced funding to delivering previous face-to-face services. Lockdown has also brought its opportunities. As a branch covering the whole of South Lanarkshire (we go all the way from the outskirts of Glasgow to less than 40 miles to Carlisle) moving services online has allowed us to support people in the area without a lengthy trip on the M74. Working with our head office, we’ve established a number of social groups including a youth group and LGBT group. For more information email ScotlandSocialgroups@nas.org.uk. We have also developed a group for adults, allowing autistic adults to socialise in an online secure environment with trained volunteers present. As the Scottish Government continues to progress through its route map, we will review these groups to see if online delivery continues to be effective or whether we should move to face-to-face groups.
The groups have taken part in activities including virtual tours of cities throughout the globe and guest speakers have covered important issues such as employment. Please check our Facebook page to find out more. If you would like to join the mailing list please email southlan@nas.org.uk
Meet the volunteers
Easy fundraising The branch has recently signed up to Easy Fundraising to help in our fundraising efforts. You simply shop online and retailers provide donations. You can find out more and sign up to support us by visiting https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ causes/nassouthlan/
Scottish Parliament CrossParty Group Branches across Scotland participated in a meeting of the Cross-Party Group on Autism in the Scottish Parliament. This meeting focused mainly on the Scottish Government’s 10-year Autism Strategy published in 2011 and the findings of a report recently published by the National Autistic Society and Scottish Autism, which you can read on the National Autistic Society website https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/ news/scotland-cross-party-group-onautism-report Our Co-chair Andy attended and spoke about the branch and employment related aspects of the strategy. This included his own personal experience of getting into employment and barriers faced along the way.
www.autism.org.uk
This quarter we caught up with our branch chair David Weir pictured on the right with Nick Ward, Director National Autistic Society Scotland
Why did you volunteer for the National Autistic Society South Lanarkshire? I’m autistic, and I am always doing stuff now to promote it and the raise awareness as not a lot of people know about autism. How long have you been involved with the branch? I have been with the branch about a year and four months. What is your role at the branch? I am the chairperson. What do you find the most rewarding parts of the role? Everything I love volunteering! What would you say to others about getting involved? Get involved in your local branch they are brilliant. Any additional information you would like to share? I am loving volunteering for a great charity such as the National Autistic Society, there are lots of benefits.
Saltire awards The branch is currently working with Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire (VASLAN) to achieve the Volunteer Friendly Award. As part of this we have registered as an approved organisation to undertake the Saltire Awards. This is a Scottish Government Programme to reward and recognise the hard work put in by young people aged 12-25 for their community.
National Autistic Society insurance policies do not cover individuals under 18 to volunteer. We are therefore working to encourage people aged 18-25 get more involved through developing and expanding on our links throughout the community. Further information on the Saltire Awards can be found by visiting https://saltireawards.scot/
Volunteering opportunity The Branch currently has the following role available • Fundraiser Contact us for more information: southlan@nas.org.uk
Scotland
South Lanarkshire Branch
07483 012438
southlan@nas.org.uk
www.autism.org.uk
www.nassouthlanarkshirebranch.webeden.co.uk
The National Autistic Society is a company limited by guarantee registered in England (No.1205298) and a charity registered in England and Wales (269425) and in Scotland (SC039427), registered office 393 City Road, London, EC1V 1NG.