Encompass Caithness one-stop shop will highlight ‘potentially life-changing’ support
An event in Wick next week will showcase the “potentially life-changing” support on offer to people with autism, neurodivergent conditions and additional needs.
The one-stop information shop is being organised by Encompass Caithness and follows on from a survey run by the pressure group highlighting gaps in service provision.
The findings revealed that many of the families affected feel “helpless, isolated and powerless”.
The event takes place in Mackays Hotel on Thursday, November 7, from 10am to 4pm, and there will be more than 20 stalls for members of the public to visit.
Encompass group adviser Dan Mackay said: “It’s essentially an information-sharing day. We could see from our survey that many of the 115 respondents were unaware what support they could ask for, what their entitlements were and how to find out information and ask for help.
“We have around 24 stalls from numerous statutory and third sector agencies who will have staff present to let those who attend know what’s available.
“Whether it’s advocacy support, help for people with dyslexia or steps into supported employment, we’ve arranged a comprehensive cross-section of what services people can tap into. We are at maximum capacity in the hotel’s main hall.
“We hope it will help people with autism, neurodivergent conditions and additional support needs feel less isolated and reassured, knowing that help is available.”
Sarah Scollay is the chairperson of Encompass Caithness and Annemarie Simpson is vice-chairperson.
Ms Simpson said: “Following our survey results, it was found that many autistic, neurodiverse and additional needs families did not know what help is available locally. Therefore they are missing out on potentially life-changing support.
“To remedy this, we have pulled together many of the local support services available to create a one-stop information shop for families to come along and meet.
“We are inviting them to work round the room to find out about the services available locally and speak directly to people who care.
“Sarah and I feel very passionately about making positive changes to help support our families and the community’s understanding of autism and additional needs.
“This one-stop shop has been in planning for a while now and will not only assist many people to access help and support but will bring together many agencies that haven’t met before.
“We feel that collaboration and working together is how growth and improvement will come. We are very excited to have so many resources meeting under one roof for the day.”
Members of Encompass Caithness are calling on the Scottish Government, Highland Council and NHS Highland to “address historic wrongs” and devise an improvement plan for the county.
Encompass Caithness held its first meeting in October 2023.
