Are you a volunteer or staff member at a community project in East Sussex? Would you like to learn more about autism and neurodiversity, and how to make your project more welcoming for neurodivergent people?
Join our free online workshop: Understanding autism & neurodiversity – creating welcoming communities for everyone
Date: Thursday 20 March
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm (includes a break)
What you’ll learn:
- What autism and neurodiversity mean.
- The challenges neurodivergent people may face.
- How to better support neurodivergent people in your group or project.
This workshop is for volunteers and staff from community projects in East Sussex, especially those running nature, gardening, or environmental activities. Unfortunately, it’s not open to individuals or private groups that don’t focus on community engagement. There are only 12 places, so please register soon. If you book a place and can’t attend, let us know at least 48 hours before the session so we can offer your spot to someone else. Register here
This event is part of the Mental Health Friendly Communities Project, run by Recovery Partners and the Growing Community Toolkit Project, run Gardening in Action, with funding from Sussex Community Development Association.
Looking Back: Highlights from Previous Workshops: Recent workshops under the Mental Health Friendly Communities Project brought together volunteers and people with experience of severe mental illness. These sessions helped groups learn how to be more inclusive and supportive. Topics included:
- How nature can support mental health.
- Understanding severe mental illness (SMI).
- Peer support and practical tips for welcoming everyone.
- How trauma affects people and creating safe spaces.
Attendees shared ideas, swapped stories, and enjoyed a friendly chat over food. Many said they now feel more confident about supporting others and making their projects more inclusive.
Looking Ahead: Recovery Partners is working to build on the learning and feedback from the workshops to deliver further workshops and develop online resources to support community groups, volunteers and individuals facing mental health challenges.