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SAFE was the first place that I found support following my daughter’s late diagnosis of Autism. We had struggled with various difficulties over her lifetime & had invariably been dismissed. By the time she was diagnosed & we started our journey of understanding (of our neurodiverse family, that we previously had not realised) she was unable to attend school. Andrea’s support with school meetings & our journey since has been invaluable. Andrea has always been there to support & guide us. It’s been a roller coaster! She has done everything possible to engage my daughter & always endeavours to find out what she needs, or might help. The support groups have also been invaluable to us as a family. Through these I have met other parents & people on similar journeys who have also become friends. I see the girls who struggle with communication & friendship become friends & how they change & grow into adults better able to manage, due to the support with education & navigating systems that have not been working for them. It’s been a wealth of information, as well as support & I don’t know how I would have managed without this support.

My daughter was diagnosed with ASD aged 8 and, when we moved boroughs when she was 11, we started looking for a group she could join which would help her social and communication skills. We were pointed in the direction of SAFE via SNAP and decided to give it a try. From the off SAFE was very welcoming and, since joining three years ago, we have visited places we would never have thought of trying. It’s great that we all get to experience different things from museums and gaming places to nature reserves and apple picking. There is no judgement when there are last minute changes to numbers due to a child feeling unable to attend and there is always a friendly welcome upon their next session. SAFE staff, children and parents are friendly and supportive of each other, celebrating triumphs no matter how small and giving support when it is needed. It was wonderful to see everyone helping each other when we had a day making cakes and also watching how the children have bonded as a group. I’m so glad we joined as it has really helped our daughter make friends with similar interests and with whom she can just be herself without any need for masking. SAFEreally is a resource we could not do without.

E and I went to Safe Stuff for years, probably since she was eight and right up to university at 23, and it has consistently been a fun and happy group to be in whether we were toasting marshmallows, watching a storyteller or doing crafts. E learned to make friends and has gained a lot of confidence. Despite challenges in education since early years she is now in university, managing work well and taking part in clubs and societies. I know there’s a lot more that SAFE do and I know there are many who have been through the ‘system’ and can help with gaining rights, benefits and services; I would have no hesitation in telling someone to go to SAFE for help and I am so grateful for all you have done for us.

The group has been an absolute lifeline for myself and E. When we first came to the group at Time & Space in Jan 22, E had been out of school for several months and had hardly spoken to anyone her own age. That evening she tentatively sat with two other girls and they chatted and giggled for over an hour. Since then we've tried to come whenever possible. For quite a while the group formed her only social life and she really appreciated the friendships she'd made at the group. Sadly she is exhausted from chronic fatigue at the moment so can't make the group in the evenings. We have both made friends through the group and she has seen girls outside the group on a one to one basis (all she can manage at the moment). The parents have got an active WhatsApp group and that too has been a lifeline for offloading or asking for advice. Without the group, I have no idea how we'd have met so many girls and parents in the same situation and it certainly meant that we both felt a lot less lonely, especially when E had to give up school. Hopefully when the excessive tiredness eases we'll be able to make the group in person again.

My husband and I felt totally alone and thought we were the only ones facing such problems with our son. But having met so many lovely people at your meetings who are in the same situation, we now have others to talk to and share our experiences. From parents of a 40 year old man

I have been going to SAFE since my son was 10 when he had no formal diagnosis. SAFE made me feel sane again – people there had similar problems with their young people and really understood what I was going through and that was so rejuvenating. Knowing that it wasn’t me that was not handling him properly or not doing something that I should was wonderful. With the group’s help we got a diagnosis… I can honestly say that the help I received through information from other members pointing me in the right direction has saved our family. From a parent of a 17 year old son

SAFE is one of the few local groups able to help parents and young people. It is a real life saver. The parents in the group form friendships that help them cope better with their young people and the pressures that they as adults have as a result of having a child with such need. It is a truly great group. From a parent of a 15 year old girl

My son was diagnosed when he was 7 years old... He became a regular attendee at SAFE STUFF … Being part of this group has given him a social life, responsibility and has done wonders for his confidence as a whole. He is still attending SAFE STUFF four years later and has also started attending SAFE’s Youth Group as well... I really don't know where he or I would have been without the fantastic help and advice that we have both received of this charity. From a parent of a 13 year old son

I personally have also made some amazing friends who have helped me through some tough times as only fellow parents can truly understand. This is a wonderful charity and I would be lost without them!! From a parent of a 11 year old son