Save the Dates

We’ve got a busy summer ahead of us… from the return of our summer fetes to our annual bike ride. Here’s a round-up of the exciting events taking place and the information you need on how to join Team NEAS:

London to Amsterdam Cycling Challenge

Friday 26th May

As part of our annual Autism Acceptance Campaign, we are hosting an online conference, with autistic speakers. Topics covered at the conference include gender and identity, autistic mental health, autistic mistreatment, and education.

Tickets cost just £15

Click here to book your ticket.

As part of our annual Autism Acceptance Campaign, we are hosting an online conference, with autistic speakers.

The aims of the event are to:

• Make a statement that listening to the experiences of autistic people is vital

• Educate people about the lives of autistic people (dispel some myths)

• Contribute to changing the negative narrative of autism

Summer Fete at New Warlands Farm

• Recognise and celebrate diversity and neurodiversity in all people

• Discuss the barriers to acceptance and the reason for them

• Inspire professionals to change through constructive education

Saturday, 15 July from 10am – 3pm

The products on sale are handmade by the children, young people and adults in our services. There will also be an opportunity to pick up our exclusive Mackenzie Thorpe merchandise.

Find out more at: www.ne-as.org.uk/events

24 – 29 August 2023

London to Amsterdam

Back by popular demand… It’s our annual cycling challenge! This year’s event will take place over six days (three of those will be spent cycling) and is set to be our biggest cycling challenge yet, as a team of riders will be heading from London to Amsterdam.

Every rider will receive a bespoke Team NEAS cycling jersey, plus support on the ride from a vehicle driven by a member of the team carrying supplies, spares and luggage from point to point. Bookings can be secured today for a £50 deposit.

Registration is now open at: https://www.ne-as.org.uk/Event/qcc

Great North Run

Sunday 10th September

The World’s Greatest Half Marathon is back! Entries cost £50 per person, and you’ll be asked to raise £400 for NEAS. Sign up today to get your guaranteed place on the start line as part of our team, which will also include a free Team NEAS running vest, a training and fundraising pack plus support and advice throughout the build-up to the run to keep you going.

Click here to register.

If the thought of taking on a half marathon seems daunting, we have a brand-new event to help you work your way up to the big race.

Find out more about our Couch to South Shields event.

Autism Acceptance Highlights our services held their own Autism Acceptance events, creating poems, films and artwork around the theme of It’s OK To Be Me.

Autistic voices and experiences were front and centre of our Autism Acceptance campaign this year, which focused on the theme of Everyday Equality.

Our autistic and neurodivergent contributors spoke about the barriers and opportunities they faced in education and called on schools and universities to have a better understanding of difference.

And our Autism Activists group, made up of young people aged 9-17, created an amazing video about how they perceive the world and what changes they would like to see.

Their stories made a splash in the local and national media, including the Chronicle, the Northern Echo, the BBC and the Daily Mirror.

Meanwhile, more than 150 schools signed up to receive our Primary and Secondary Teachers’ Toolkits to promote the message of autism acceptance in the classroom.

Businesses across the region also registered for our first ever Employers’ Toolkit, to support them in developing a more diverse workforce and inclusive environment on their sites.

And everyone came together for our annual Walk for Acceptance at Herrington Country Park on Friday 14th April which took place under blue skies and attracted almost 300 participants.

Our patron, TV presenter Pam Royle, opened the walk alongside CEO John Phillipson and the Chair of Trustees Gavin Bestford, who is stepping down from the charity’s board after more than two decades (see his story on pages 10-11).

The final event in our Autism Acceptance calendar comes on 26th May with our third virtual Acceptance Matters conference, which features leading autistic speakers on topics including the double empathy gap, gender identity and school-based anxiety.

But our Everyday Equality campaign will continue throughout the year, with health as the next subject to be highlighted.