Encompass Caithness to host community-funded autism training in Wick in bid to ‘empower’ parents and carers after successful rollout to professionals

Parents and carers of children with autism and other neurological conditions will have a chance to access specialist training in Wick next month, thanks to a unique partnership involving campaign group Encompass Caithness.

Building on the success of an initial programme of autism awareness training rolled out to health professionals last November, the group has arranged for further training to be held, working in conjunction with the Inverness-based Haven Centre – this time for those living with neurodivergent conditions.

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Two groups of 30 parents or carers will attend the community-funded training at Rose Bank Playing Fields, to be held over two days on May 27 and 28, from 9.30am to 2.30pm.

The campaign group say providing education can help “bridge the gap” by “empowering” families with the education and understanding they need to apply strategies and access support for autistic people.

A survey conducted last year revealed that many Caithness families feel “helpless, isolated and powerless” over failings in support for people with autism, neurodivergent conditions and additional needs.

Long wait times for a diagnosis, periods of interrupted education and a lack of access to services leave many in the far north feeling isolated and “cut off” from avenues of support.

Accessibility and inclusion are at the heart of the initiative, with many families living in areas where specialist support is often harder to come by, as Encompass Caithness chairperson Sarah Jane Scollay explains.

“In rural areas such as the north Highlands and Caithness, access to specialist services can be limited,” she said.

“Increasing awareness and providing education locally helps bridge this gap by empowering families, educators, and communities to offer better support.

"This training has been made possible through extensive community fundraising efforts, including fundraising days, stalls at local shows, and raffles.

“Thanks to the dedication and generosity of the local community, parents and carers now have access to this valuable training opportunity."

The sessions will be led by respected neurodiversity trainer Tanya Tennant – an autistic professional with lived experience who has also been diagnosed with ADHD.

During the session, Ms Tennant draws from both her personal journey as a parent and her professional background, which includes eight years with the National Autistic Society and the development of her own training programme which has been delivered across Scotland.

The training will focus on helping parents and carers understand autism and other neurological conditions, while helping to identify communication strategies, sensory processing, behaviour management, and ways to navigate support systems.

Its aim is to empower families with practical tools to create more supportive home environments, reduce stress, and advocate more effectively for their children.

Those interested in attending the training are encouraged to contact Encompass Caithness directly for further details or to book a place.

A £5 deposit is required to book the training, which will be refunded on entry. Tea, coffee and biscuits will provided free of charge.

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