As well as providing services to autistic people on an individual basis, Leeds Autism AIM also advocate for the autistic population of Leeds by attending forums, steering groups, committees and boards.

We consult autistic adults and ask about what barriers they face. Then, we put that forward when going to meetings or working in partnership with other organisations who want to improve access and outcomes for autistic adults.

By using this approach, we have achieved the following:

  • Working with local hospital trusts to improve environments and pathways for autistic patients
  • Successfully piloting an autistic-led post-diagnostic support service for newly-diagnosed autistic adults
  • Co-produced self-advocacy tools for autistic adults to help them communicate their needs when accessing services
  • Trained a number of autism champions for Engage Leeds, a local housing service
  • Worked with Live Well Leeds, a mental health service, to ensure that their groups and one-to-one support are autistic-friendly
  • Working in partnership with Leeds Autism Diagnostic Service (LADS), Chapeltown Citizens Advice and the DWP at our drop-in Hub sessions to improve access and make changes to their services
  • Delivering awareness training to a number of third sector and public sector organisations
  • Regularly attend the following forums and meetings to ensure autistic people have a voice. By attending the following forums, we have played a part in small but significant changes being made for the better:
    • The Leeds Adult Autism Partnership Board
    • The Leeds Autism Provider Forum
    • The Leeds Autism Reference Group
    • The Leeds Autism Employment Forum
    • The Yorkshire and The Humber NHS Learning Disability and Autism Operational Delivery Network (ODN)
    • Improving care for people with a learning disability and/or autism within Mental Health Services steering group, run by the LYPFT
    • The LTHT’s Learning Disability and Autism Steering Group and Autism Sub-Group
    • Forum Central’s Communities of Interest and Learning Disability Members’ meetings
    • Local Care Partnership meetings
  • Ensured that some third sector-led events such as AutistiCon and the Leeds Hidden Talents Employment Fair had some autistic input
  • Produced a widely-used Coronavirus toolkit to help autistic adults manage during the pandemic

Awards

In November 2023, the wider Autism AIM service was given the Outstanding Service Award at the 2023 National Advocacy Awards.

Yorkshire Autism AIM, in partnership with the Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, won the Partnership Award at the Celebrate as One Awards in October 2023.

What we are working on at the moment

  • Working with Leeds Mind, Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service, LYPFT, LTHT, LADS, Linking Leeds, Live Well Leeds and others to improve their services for people experiencing mental health difficulties
  • Working on a new Health Passport to help people access hospitals, GP’s and other mental/physical health services
  • Working with West Yorkshire Police and other local organisations to produce a new Autism Alert Card
  • Providing information and resources to help people through the Coronavirus pandemic
  • Working with various partners to make sure autistic voices and experiences are listened to and considered during the Coronavirus pandemic