Spectrum Women's Autism Group Annual Report For the year ending June 2023 Spectrum Women's Autism Group - Register Charity in Northern Ireland NIC106799 C/0 Spectrum Centre, 14 Nortbland Row, Dungalmon, BT716AP www.womensautism.wordpress.com
Spectrum Women's Autism Group - Registered Charity in Northern Ireland NIC106799 Our Purposes and Beneficiaries Our governing document is our constitution which outlines the purposes and beneficiaries of Spectrum Women's Autism Group. Spectrum Women's Autism Group is established to promote the relief ofAutistic women, and their Family and Carers Tesident in Northern Lreland and the Republic of Ireland through the following: i. to promote acceptance and awareness of female presentations of Autism within the general public, relevant professionals and organisations in the private, voluntary and statutory sectors, ii. the provision of help, guidance and inforniation to Autistic women members and the promotion of a network of support among such women, with the aim of improving their quality of life and increasing their social networks, . provision of recreational activities and the promotion of the provision of appropriate recreational facilities to overcom¢ isolation. Our Services In setting our obj¢ctives and planning our activities for the year the tnJst¢es have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity's purposes and provide a public benefit to the beneficiaTies. We also listen to the feedback from OUT beneficiaries and ty to plan activities that provid¢ a public benefit to them. I confirni that all the trustses have complied with their duty under charity law to have regard to the Con)rnission's public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant. One of the main purposes of Spectnmi Women's Autism Group, as outlined above is the reduction of social isolation. This is targeted through both a WhatsApp group and face to face meetings. The WhatsApp group is only open to registered members of the charity that attend the face-to-face meetings. This has the advantage of being a small 0Up in which everyone knows each other, which means that members are happy to share things and get support and a way for people to keep in touch and to arrange online meetings. Occasionally we have zoom online meetings during the winter montbs to accommodate the weather and where travel from all over Nortbern Ireland is restricted.
Spectrum Women's Autism Group - Registered Clwity in Northern Ireland NIC106799 The Spectrum Women's Autism Group's monthly meetings are the core activity of the group. We currently have 115 on our register. Monthly attendance at meetings are around between 12-15 members. Those members registered to attend the monthly meetings have been asked to pay all annual fee of £20, which is payable from end June each year. During Covid we waivered this payment. There is no presswe for anyone to pay and we would never tum someone away if they could not afford to attend. These meetings provide members the opportunity to meet with other autistic women in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. For many of the members this is the only time that they feel that they can relax and be themselves and not have to 'mask' (which is often the C&8e socialising with the neurotypical community). The group meetings are about providing peer support, advice, learning from our own experiences to help each other, having group discussions on topics related to all areas of living with Autism and providing an environment where friendships can be forn]ulated. We also have a facilitator from the Spectrum Centre, DungaDnon Oo Douglas) who helps us to navigate our meetings and open discussions about our worries and difficulties we face, during our day to day lives. This is a vital contribution to our group. A range of activities are covered in these meetings which in the last year have included: A discussion session on 'Autism in The Workplac¢' facilitated by Joat)ne Douglas, Consultant Chartered PsychologisL The Spectrum Diagnostic, Assessment and Therapy Centre. The session considered the many positive contributions individuals with autism can bring to the workplace as well as some of the challenges imposed as the result of open plan workplaces, sensory issues, communication difficulties, 0Up activities and meetings, organisational skn'lls and planning etc. The group was able to share personal experiences in a non-judgemental enviroDment and to discuss a range of strategies to promote positive experiences in the workplace. 'Songs that mean something to me'_ In this session, group members were encouraged to choose and play a songj songs that have a special meaning to them and to share their stories around this with others in the group. This fun session encouraged the group to develop their communication skills, to talk about f¢elings and emotions ets. Our annual Christmas paty provided an opportunity for fun and games, which pushed members out of their comfort zone but in a supportive environment. This get together also involved some arts and crafts activities facilitatsd by one of our group members wbo lead the session in making 3D Christmas Cards. A discwsion session on identifyillg individual strengths and cballenges was facilitated by Joanne Douglas, Consultant Chartered Psychologisl The Spectrum DiaOStic, Assessn]ent and Therapy Centre. This session encouraged group members to discuss the positive aspects of their autism diagnosis along with the aspects which they find most challenging. Within the non-judgem¢ntsl, supportive group setting members were encouraged to share their personal experiences and discuss similarities and differences in individual presentations.
Spectrum Women's Autism Group - Registered Charity in Northern Ireland NIC106799 On International Women, Day the group celebrated their neurodiversity as women on the spectrum and got together to enjoy a jewellery making session led by one of the group members. The session encouraged members to celebrate their differences while providing an opportunity to develop their creativity and imagination in designing and making a personal piece of jewellery which they could take home. A discussion session on 'ASD and Trauma, was facilitsted by Joanne Douglas, Consultant Chartered PsychologisL The Spectrum Diagnostic, Assessment and Therapy Centre. This session explored wbat causes traum4 signs and symptoms, the impact on daily life, diagnosis and assessment and different types of treatment and support. There was a focus on trauma within the context of having an autistic spectrum disorder. Within the non- judgeD]ental, supportive group setting members were encouraged to shaTe their peTsonal experiences and ask questions to develop their knowledge about this very important and relevant topic. A discussion session on 'ASD - The Female Perspective. was facilitated by Joanne Douglas, Consultant CharteTed Psychologist, The Spectnlln Diagnostic, Assessment and Therapy Centre. This session encouraged discussion about the female presentation of autism and included topics such as masking, regulating emotions, navigating relationships Questions in a fishbowl, which allowed members to ask anonymous questions about anything related to their autisrn. This fonnat allowed members to ask questions that they would be too embarrassed to ask in peoll. The discussion often helped others as the issues were often common to many in the 0up. A discussion session on 'Being Kind to Your-mind. was facilitated by Joat]ne Douglas, Consultant Chartered Psychologis¢ The Spectrum Diagnostic. Assessm¢nt and Therapy Centre. This session encouraged discussion around the promotion of positive mental health, positive thinking, and the law of attraction. Alongside the monthly meetings a range of social outings have been arranged. These social events facilitate group members to attend meet ups, conferences, social events, and cultural experiences that they would perhaps not be able to attend alone. They enrich the social opportunities for group members and help to build confidence, as well as opportunities to develop social and conununication skills in a range of settings and people. These included: Meetings in a coffee shop to provide an opportunity for chat in a relaxed environment. After this some members would have gone shopping, something which can be challenging for autistic people due to sensory issues, but with the support provid¢d they were able to do so. Meals out which can pose challenges for many members, but we provide support to try to overcome these issues. We all understand the issues and accept that we tend to want to eat in the same places and have the same food each time, which other people may perceive as
Spectrum Women's Autism Group- Registered Charity in Northern Ireland NIC106799 Several members attended the Middletown Autism Conference at the ICC Belfast- hosted by a range of professionals in the field of autism. Topics included 'Pathological Denwid Avoidance,, Neurodiversity, Social and Con)munication Skills. Several members attended a C]Jristmas by Candlelight at St Ann's Cathedral - a night of musical entertainment featijring the soundtracks from a range of popular Christmas movies - Home Alone, Love Actually etc. A group of members also attended the Belfast Community Concert ill the Waterfront. Some members also attended the christening of a group member's twin daughters and celebrated with refreshments afterwards. A group of members also attended the Big Day Out Women's empowernient day at tbe Annagh City Hotel. We continue to meet our aim which is to forntslly educate others on the female presentation of autism. The trustees and members of SWAG ar¢ fully committed to educating others on the female presentation of autism and will do so in their day to lives when the opportL]nities arise. We believe that through educating on autism that the lives of all autistic women can be improved. beyond those involved with Spectrum Women's Autism Group. Clare Thompsoffj one of our online members through her work with creative therapies has shared her personal experience of having autism on her blog. Risk of harm and private benefit By the nature of the charity being bas¢d on peer support there is a private benefit in tern]s of support and social benefits. not financial, to th¢ trustees, but this is incidental to the public benefit. The trustees recognise that there may be a risk of psychological harni from the issues that may come up for discussion. We have the support of a Consultant Chartered Psychologist who provides support to the charity. As part of our membership registration forni, we have next of kin details that we can contsct if there is a significant concern. Included on the fomi is a code of conduct, which includes treating every member with respect and dignity and to respect the confidentiality of the group. Attendees at the groups are made aware of the main topic of discussion in advance and can choose not to attend if it is something that they cannot deal with at that time. Every effort is made in the planning of the group activities to MilliSe the risk of harni. I confirm that tbere are no serious incidents or other matters that the trustees should have brought to the Commission's attention.
Spectnlln Women's Autism Group - Registered Charity in Northern Ireland MC106799 Charity Trustees as of end June 2023 Dr Margaret Copeland Mrs Clare Amanda Mccleary Treasurer: Secretary: Ms Fiona Monaghan Dr Margaret cOpelan Chair