Autistic Minds UK

03/01/2025

With much sadness, Autistic Minds has ceased trading with immediate effect.

Autistic Minds, along with other charities, has been operating in a very challenging climate. We have been working hard to continue to secure funding through grants, and other workstreams, whilst also working hard to minimise overheads.

Unfortunately, after a thorough review of the charity’s finances and cash flow forecast, it has become clear that we cannot continue operating.

I, along with the Trustees, have come to the painful conclusion that Autistic Minds will now close with immediate effect.

I would like to take a moment to thank every person that has supported Autistic Minds in its 15 years. The charity has provided a vital service to thousands of autistic adults since it was founded, and will be a true loss to the community.

Our team have been informed today, this is a very challenging day for all involved.

Thank you

Henry Field
CEO

06/12/2024

We pleased to announce that we will be attending the Ysgol Y Deri Christmas Fayre, organised by the brilliant people at Ysgol Y Deri PTA

We'll be there representing ourselves and our fantastic enterprises, we're so excited to meet all the attendees and look forward to an afternoon of festivities and more.

05/12/2024

Today, we celebrate the incredible contributions of volunteers who give their time, energy, and passion to make a difference in their communities. Volunteers are the heart of the charity sector, and their impact is immeasurable.

At Autistic Minds, our amazing volunteers play a vital role in supporting our mission. Whether it’s helping with The Autism Directory, creating designs for Ambition Prints UK and Resin Rat, assisting at Green Valley Workshop or contributing to us in other ways, we couldn’t do what we do without you. Thank you for making a real difference!

Support volunteering opportunities near you by visiting gov.uk/volunteering.

If you're inspired to join us and make an impact, we’d love to hear from you! Find out how you can get involved at autisticminds.org.uk.

04/12/2024

Autistic Minds are pleased to announce that we will be attending the Bargoed Winter Fair this Saturday 7th December.

We'll also be bringing along our fantastic enterprises; Ambition Prints UK, Green Valley Workshop, Resin Rat and The Autism Directory

We are so excited to meet all the wonderful attendees at this event and a huge thank you to Visit Caerphilly for hosting what will be a fantastic event

03/12/2024

At Autistic Minds, we believe in a world where inclusion and empowerment are more than ideals—they’re everyday realities. This , we’re joining the global conversation to celebrate achievements, raise awareness, and inspire positive change for individuals with disabilities, including those in the autism community.

Our latest blog delves into the importance of breaking barriers, fostering accessibility, and promoting acceptance. It’s a call to action for everyone to contribute to building a more inclusive society.

https://autisticminds.org.uk/blog/celebrating-inclusion-and-empowerment-international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-2024/

Our new blog for IDPD 2024 talks about celebrating achievements, raising awareness and inspiring positive change for persons with disabilities

02/12/2024

This week is so we’re sharing a special blog from Autistic Minds, "Understanding Grief Through the Lens of Autism". Grief is a universal experience, but for those on the autism spectrum, it can present unique challenges and complexities.

In this blog, we explore how autistic individuals may experience and express grief differently, shedding light on the emotional and sensory factors that influence their grieving process and more.

Check out the full blog here: https://autisticminds.org.uk/blog/understanding-grief-through-the-lens-of-autism/

30/11/2024

Happy St Andrew's Day!

On this special day, we at Autistic Minds send our warmest wishes to our Celtic cousins in Scotland and beyond!

As a Welsh charity, we understand the importance of celebrating our unique cultures, traditions, and shared histories.

St Andrew’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to honour the rich heritage of Scotland and the incredible contributions of its people.

To all our Scottish friends in the autism community, thank you for inspiring us with your resilience, creativity, and kindness.

We hope your day is filled with joy, unity, and pride in your roots.

Dydd Gŵyl Andreas Hapus i chi gyd! / Happy St Andrew’s Day!

27/11/2024

This week is and we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible work of Green Valley Workshop, one of Autistic Minds’ social enterprises.

At Green Valley Workshop, we create stunning, handcrafted garden furniture while staying true to our commitment to sustainability.

Every piece we make uses recycled, reused, or sustainably sourced wood, helping to protect our planet’s precious natural resources. By giving wood a second life, we reduce waste and support a greener future for generations to come.

Supporting Green Valley Workshop not only means investing in eco-friendly, high-quality products, but it also makes a huge difference in the lives of autistic adults. This enterprise provides meaningful employment opportunities, empowering individuals to develop their skills, gain confidence, and thrive in a supportive environment.

This National Tree Week, we’re encouraging everyone to reflect on the importance of trees and sustainable living. By choosing businesses like Green Valley Workshop, you’re making a conscious choice to care for our planet while supporting social inclusion.

Browse our beautiful range of furniture or find out how we’re making a difference at Green Valley Workshop. Let’s work together to protect our environment and create opportunities for all.

https://autisticminds.myshopify.com/pages/green-valley-workshop

26/11/2024

Today is , a day dedicated to the love of all things cake.

And cakes play in important part in the weekly coffee mornings that Autistic Minds hosts at Coffee Spot Cardiff , on Barrack Lane in Cardiff City Centre.

Taking place every Thursday between 10 am and 12 pm, these coffee mornings are an accessible and friendly space for autistic adults to come together, talk, listen and enjoy coffee and cake.

Our next coffee morning is Thursday 28th November, and we would love to see you there.

26/11/2024

We're really pleased to announce that we will once again be attending the Orangebox Christmas Fayre alongside our enterprises Ambition Prints UK, Green Valley Workshop and Resin Rat

We had a great time last year and are looking forward to attending this year

25/11/2024

Do you live with a disability? Do you feel employers have the tools to support and understand your needs?

Or, are you an employer who had team members with disabilities? Do you understand the support you could be giving?

Autistic Minds UK is partnered with Elite and Innovate Trust in bidding for a large piece of work to support green, sustainable careers for people with disabilities. As part of this project, we're currently looking to understand the needs of employers, and disabled individuals who may be looking for work.

We have two questionnaires:
One for those with disabilities- https://lnkd.in/e9fvhGGf

One for employers - https://lnkd.in/ezT9Hfdj

If you happen to be an employer and have a disability, you can of course answer both!

We want our service offering to be as tailored, and meaningful as possible - So the more feedback we can get, the better.

If you think your network may benefit from having a voice in this, please do share the links. Every voice counts.

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn