Autisk is a registered charity based in Stockport, supporting disabled and neurodivergent children, young people and their families.
Established as a community group in 2016, we have grown in response to local need, providing inclusive activities, short breaks, SEND holiday provision, youth groups, volunteering opportunities and family support.
Our organisation is shaped by lived experience of autism, disability and the challenges families face when accessing suitable services. We understand that cost, anxiety, communication differences and the need for additional support can prevent children from taking part. We work to remove these barriers through affordable, welcoming activities where children feel safe, understood and valued.
Austisk contributes to the development of policy and practice through our direct work with disabled and neurodivergent children, young people and their families in Stockport. Our approach is grounded in lived experience and what families tell us about the barriers they face.
Through our short breaks, SEND holiday provision, youth groups and family activities, we identify gaps in local services and develop practical responses. This includes adapting activities, staffing support, communication approaches and sensory environments so that children with a wide range of needs can participate meaningfully.
We listen to children, young people and parents through ongoing conversations and feedback, using their experiences to shape our provision. We also draw on this learning when discussing needs with local authority officers, commissioners and partner organisations, highlighting issues such as affordability, access to suitable short breaks and support for children who struggle in mainstream settings.
Our workshops help families and those supporting them develop their understanding of autism, PDA, ARFID, anxiety, sensory differences and other support needs. We promote practice that recognises individual needs, respects different communication styles and responds with understanding.
We also provide supported volunteering opportunities for neurodivergent young people, helping them build confidence, develop skills and contribute to their community. Their experiences help inform how we make participation more accessible.
As a grassroots charity, our contribution is primarily through practical delivery, sharing learning and representing the concerns families bring to us. We want to strengthen this role so that local and national policy reflects the everyday realities of disabled children and young people.