Advonet and Specialist Autism Services are running a new short-term service to keep neurodivergent people in Leeds who are isolated informed about support available during the lockdown.

Many people will become increasingly vulnerable during the current COVID-19 crisis and some are not known to services or accessing support. People with learning disabilities, who are autistic or have other neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD can be more isolated at this time.  

In response to this, Advonet and Specialist Autism Services are involved in the new regional ‘Keeping Neurodivergent People Connected’ project, coordinated by the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health Care Partnership and Inclusion North.  

They are two of the services that are funded to run short-term information support for people in Leeds with neurodivergent conditions. These include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and Tourette’s Syndrome, as well as people with learning disabilities.  

This is on top of the usual support that both Specialist Autism Services and Advonet’s Leeds Autism AIM service already provide.  

The Keeping Neurodivergent People Connected services will provide information by phone, email and text on staying safe during the COVID-19 crisis. Here is how they can help:           

• They can connect with you by phone, text, email or video
• They can give you information on how to stay safe and well during the Coronavirus outbreak
• They can tell you about local support in your area
• They can call you regularly if you need support

Information will include local support available, regular phone calls to check that you are safe during the pandemic and help to understand your current situation.

To contact Advonet’s service, please send an email to keepingconnected@advonet.org.uk or call Advonet on 0113 244 0606 and ask to be put through to the Keeping Connected service.

More information and a flyer are available at this link: https://advonet.org.uk/keeping-neurodivergent-people-connected/.  

To get in touch with Specialist Autism Services’ Keeping Connected service, call Dave on 01274 215 470, Wil on 01274 215 480 or email them at info@specialistautismservices.org. There is more information on their service at this link: https://www.specialistautismservices.org/keeping-people-connected/.

Advonet