Sarah says: “It is inspiring to see the branch grow, as a former parent volunteer and chair to what was then an independent group before it completed the journey of transitioning to a National Autistic Society branch. The opening paragraph very much sums up the branch’s growth and the real impact it has in their local community.”

Julie adds: “Social isolation and autism is a topic we have often discussed as a branch. Some members believe that, generally, being isolated is bliss. However, very often, it’s being socially isolated that fuels the feeling of anxiety around people and challenges often felt by autistic individuals.”

This has very much been part of our work in branches as staff and volunteers to help transform ‘isolation’ from a term used to one that individuals can refer to in the past tense. We can do this by offering autistic people opportunities to engage and feel part of society.

The RCT Branch has a vision of inclusion. The group provides members with opportunities to communicate and exchange information, advice and support in a sociable and friendly atmosphere. It provides autistic adults with opportunities to meet, and spend time with others who just simply understand. It has enabled individuals to socialise and share experiences, to reach out, or humbly feel at peace as we experience and acknowledge challenges together. 

The RCT branch has been part of our peer support pilot project in Wales since its beginning. As with our organisation’s new strategy, it has taken time to develop and implement into reality. When we started researching how we could implement this project, we needed the help of our branch volunteers and their knowledge of how we could make this work. It became very clear that autistic people were missing out on opportunities and with the help of the branch network, we could make the project a reality. Now a few years on and with our working partnership with the branch volunteer network, we are making their vision and our commitment to help create a society that works for autistic people move forward in Wales.

We are pleased that the adult peer support groups set up in Wales so far have blossomed and it is our desire to continue to branch out and grow for the benefit of all our families and individuals.

By Julie Roberts, Chair of National Autistic Society Rhondda Cynon Taf  Branch, and Sarah Morgan, Branch Engagement Manager for the National Autistic Society