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The Social Group is a weekly evening event that creates the
opportunity for young adults with Aspergers to meet up. An activity is
often incorporated into these session, which is decided upon by the
members of the group; however participation in activities is not
compulsory. It also creates the opportunity for larger social events to
be organized such as meals out and day trips as well as the opportunity
for the members to form friendships with other members. The forming of
friendships in turn enables them to organize their own social activities
outside of the group.
The Social Group was established in January 2008 and has been growing
steadily ever since.
It is the aim of the group to not only enable friendships to form,
but to also enable self confidence and social skills to develop. The
eventual aim of the group is to establish a social community across
Swindon whereby opportunities are created for adults with Aspergers to
meet and participate in regular events and activities together outside
as well as within the group.
For more information about the Social Group contact:
Derek Clark on: 07765452971
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DASH is able to offer individual short-term, issues-based and/or
crisis-support advocacy for people who may need help around benefits,
housing, health and social care services, education, employment or the
criminal justice system.
For example:
- someone may find dealing with housing or benefits to much to
cope with without support;
- perhaps they have become socially isolated and are unsure where
to turn;
- or they could be experiencing difficulties in the workplace;
- or they might come into contact with the criminal justice system
and need the support of an 'appropriate adult'.
Advocacy would include helping people to access the services they
need as well as support in engaging with other services or professionals
and even some formal representation if appropriate.
DASH is hoping to introduce an “Autism Alert” card during 2010 in
partnership with the police and Swindon and district NAS modelled on a
successful scheme introduced by Hampshire Autistic Society, to raise
awareness and understanding in the criminal justice system. To get
information and/or the help of a DASH advocate please telephone 01793
692596
or email:
anne.billingham2@btinternet.com
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Volunteering opportunities are available within DASH for independent
adults including adults with Aspergers.
Volunteers can make an enormous contribution to DASH whether this is
using their:
- practical skills in The Swindon Wildflower Nursery, Old
Town Library or Tools for Self Reliance workshops;
- or 'people' skills to help adults with Aspergers to
develop their own social, interpersonal and work skills within any
of the above activities or DASH social group for young adults.
And in return we hope that volunteers will be valued by DASH.
If you would like to become a volunteer with DASH you are welcome to
try a 'taster' session or two before making a decision to offer a
regular commitment. And in this way DASH can also make sure that we can
support you appropriately as a volunteer. Travel expenses can be
reimbursed.
See 'Resources' for a DASH volunteers application form.
DASH can also help it's members to access volunteering opportunities
in the community via the Volunteer Centre Swindon that can match
volunteers interests with the latest vacancies. DASH can support people
to attend an initial meeting at the Centre.
Volunteering can also be a stepping stone to work by providing work
experience, helping you to find out what kind of work that you like or
dislike and provide references to employers. See
Employment for more
information.
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The Wildflower Nursery is a social enterprise – defined as a business
with a social mission – set up by DASH in
2008. The 'business' is the production and sale of wildflowers; and the
social mission is the delivery of volunteering and supported employment
opportunities for adults with Aspergers.
The nursery produces about
30 varieties of wild flowers from seed and seedlings provided by our
on-site neighbour and partner – FAB (Wild Flowers and Butterflies). We
have already provided plants for several community open spaces in
Swindon as well as individual customers. We share TWIGS Open Days in
April, June and September and sell direct to the public.
For adults with Aspergers the Wildflower Nursery offers a
peaceful environment in which to work, in a very small group, helping to reduce anxiety and build up confidence. Helping
plants and people to grow together!
No horticultural
experience is required although patience, care and dexterity is needed to handle
the seeds and small plantlets. There is no digging or other heavy
gardening in the Wildflower Nursery! Knowledge of wildflowers isn't
necessary but this is probably something that is learnt as
you go along.
The Wildflower Nursery is located at TWIGS in the grounds of Manor
Garden Centre, Cheney Manor Estate, Swindon SN2 2PQ.
For more information email:
anne.billingham2@btinternet.com
or telephone 01793 692596
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DASH has links to New College and Swindon College, Richmond
Fellowship Employment Support Services and Energy 2 Work to help adults
with Aspergers achieve their aspirations in terms of education, work and
employment.
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For people who receive a diagnosis of Aspergers when they are an
adult, it may feel very confusing to be told that they have a lifelong
condition that hasn't been recognised until then. On the other hand,
learning about Aspergers might mean that their life experiences suddenly
make sense. It may be that they have experienced specific difficulties
for many years without understanding why. And they may feel that these
difficulties have adversely impacted upon their personal and social
life, their education and opportunities for work. For this reason, DASH
offers opportunities to discuss what it means to have Aspergers and how
to build on individual strengths and talents to move forward. Funding
permitting, DASH is able to offer interpersonal skills training
workshops with the aim of supporting people to improve their own
understanding of Aspergers and how to improve the quality of their own
lives.
This leaflet explains the content of the workshops.
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