Service categories: Support groups, social programs and branches

Service URL: https://enfold.org.uk/young-peoples-autism-advisory-project-yaap/

YAAP stands for Young People’s Autism Advisory Project

How can young Autistic people have a voice in shaping support services in a social setting?

YAAP is a free group for Autistic young people across Northamptonshire, UK, to come together to help improve the understanding of Autism by the wider community.

YAAP offers a welcoming space for Autistic individuals, including those on the diagnostic pathway, aged 11-25, regardless of their communication needs, with groups in Northampton and Kettering.

YAAP provides a safe environment for young people to express their needs and aspirations through creating resources for young Autistic people or inputting their views on developing community services to become more neurodivergent-friendly.

The program aims to give its members meaningful opportunities to socially engage, helping them build self-esteem, confidence, and peer friendships, while also reducing isolation.

YAAP is an exciting chance for young people with Autism Spectrum Condition to connect with like-minded peers and have a voice in shaping services for their community.

See our website for more information on YAAP meetings then email us on info@enfold.org for more information on attending a meeting.

What are the YAAP meetings like?

The most important thing is that you aren’t expected to do anything you don’t want to do.

We will listen to what you want and develop future sessions around that. The meetings will include time to get to know each other, as well as time to explore an issue facing young people with an Autism Spectrum Condition, or respond to a something we have been asked to give a view on. There will be lots of opportunities to have your voice heard, and the more we get known, the more opportunities are arising.

We have social activities too!

The sessions will broadly follow the following format:

• Introductions from staff team and overview of the session
• A reminder of the purpose of YAAP
• An introduction-based activity for us to get to know each other
• Update from EnFold of progress of projects we are involved with and future opportunities including any visitors
• Food – could be pizza or a selection of yummy snacks
• Smaller group time to discuss themes and issues and review services. Also, to have a say on the way new services are developed
• We also play games or have a craft available.

Bringing a parent/carer or support worker

We recognise that Autism Spectrum Condition has a diverse spectrum of needs and we would love to be able to capture the views of all young people wherever they are on the spectrum. We also appreciate how daunting it can be to come to a meeting for the first time on your own. If it would help you to bring a parent/carer/support worker, no problem.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Child

Referral Sources: Yourself

Covers: East Midlands

Specialisms: Autism, Autism and Neurodivergent , Challenging behaviour, Has autism-specific elements, Has autism-specific elements, Learning disability