Autism support grants

Grants can be used for any reasonable costs associated with developing and delivering a product, resource or service which has the potential to achieve long-term, sustainable benefits for autistic people in Southwark. This could include:

• a project that creates new resources that can be utilised beyond the life of the grant
• a piece of work that transforms or improves a service
• a piece of work that’s purpose is to generate new learning for the system about what works for autistic people in Southwark
• a pilot initiative with identified future funding streams
• an initiative that can continue as part of business as usual

Explainers

Products or resources

Tangible outputs that can be used by autistic people, their supporters, and/or professionals to meet the priorities and outcomes. Examples could include a website, guides or training resources.

Services

Ongoing support for autistic people, their supporters, and/or professionals which they can access formally or informally. Examples could include peer support groups, training courses, or social activities.

Transformation or innovation projects 

Pieces of work that aim to improve an existing service or test a new way of working before becoming business as usual. Examples could include partnerships between public sector organisations and voluntary, community or social enterprise organisations, to bring new expertise into an existing service. 

Examples of what we will fund

This fund could be used for:

• staff costs (such as for planning and delivering project activities)
• specialist expertise (such as external training)
• volunteer expenses
• activity costs and resources
• venue hire
• refreshments 

What we will not fund 

We will not fund:

• individuals
• projects and activities that are not for the benefit of Autistic people or their supporters
• existing activities or activities that have already taken place
• activities which promote a particular political, religious or extremist view
• activities that take place in a formal education setting as part of the core curriculum
• fundraising events, activities for private gain, or that result in profit being made
• activities that do not aim to achieve the priorities and outcomes outlined above

Who the projects are for 

The projects must be for the benefit of Autistic people and/or their families and carers. This can include projects that aim to improve the support and resources available to relevant professionals to improve services for Autistic people.

Project duration

Any projects that are piloting new groups, services or ways of working should have a project duration of 18 months minimum. We recognise that projects that may be developing resources may be completed in a shorter timeframe.