Autistic young people are being offered a new platform to make friends and have fun, thanks to an online gaming community.
Spectrum Gaming is an autistic-led UK-based charity that supports autistic young people by providing spaces where they feel safe and accepted, amongst others with similar shared lived experiences to explore who they are.
And it is partnering with Bedford Borough Council to enable 100 young people aged 10 to 18 who identify as autistic to make connections with others, play together online via dedicated discord and Minecraft servers, and take part in special online events – all fully funded!
Spectrum Gaming is also offering 100 free places on its online Autism Acceptance Course for parents, carers and professionals who live or work in Bedford Borough. The series of six sessions will initially be run four times over the next two years. The first set of sessions will begin in May, and Autistic young people will be among those delivering the sessions.
Topics will include Understanding Autism, Autism and Trauma, Supporting Young People with Meltdowns, and Understanding Anxiety and Wellbeing. Recordings of the sessions will also be made available.
Additionally, there will be a series of five-week courses for the young people on how to advocate for themselves.
Benjamin Wilson, General Manager of Spectrum Gaming, said; “Our goal is to help create a world where every autistic child knows that who they are is OK, and they can be themselves, whilst still developing meaningful relationships and achieving their personal goals.
“Our young people are at the forefront of our organisation. From the ideas of what we want to do, to implementation, they are at the heart of how we work.
“We’re an autistic-led organisation, for neurodivergent young people. Almost all of our workforce are neurodivergent in some way.”
A Bedford Borough Council spokesperson said; “Spectrum Gaming have run this scheme across other parts of the UK, and we were delighted with their positive take on autism.
“We aim to support all of our young people, and schemes like this offer a safe space for them to make friends, socialise, and grow in confidence.”
Two launch events are taking place in May about Spectrum Gaming’s new platform, including who Spectrum Gaming is, how to join, how the verification process works, parent responsibilities within Spectrum Gaming, and what to do if a young person needs support.
These take place online via Zoom, on Tuesday 7 May from 11am-12.30pm at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82475284919?pwd=UrrSSdkNTvMqw3SsNkkOXHXC07VEwj.1 and on Thursday 16 May from 10-11.30am at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82123058730?pwd=ZXoqeAbcmr05kK5fC7OszT5DNhbI1z.1
To sign up for the Autism Acceptance Course, beginning on May 1 at 7pm, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spectrum-gaming-autism-awareness-training-bedford-borough-free-ticket-registration-tickets-881512717267