'Survive and thrive' with Home-Start Caithness' specialist sensory services
Local family support charity Home-Start Caithness said it is delighted to announce the start of its new Sunflower Project to help autistic adults through the perinatal period.
The project will offer support for autistic adults who are in the perinatal period (those experiencing pregnancy until the child is up to the age of three). Staff will provide specific support around pregnancy and birth including direct in-home support to autistic people and their families to "survive and thrive" in the early years of a child's life. There will also be support for executive function strategies, self-regulation skills, and a robust clear information guide.
Home-Start Caithness has funding in place and part of that will allow the charity to offer sensory packs to parents containing items that might help them cope with sensory issues. It will also be offering a drop-in sensory session at its new hub in Wick for parents and their babies.
Parents who have officially been diagnosed and who self-identify as autistic are welcomed into the project and can email office@homestartcaithness.org.uk or ask their midwife or health visitor to be referred. This project is funded by Inspiring Scotland and the Scottish Government and works in partnership with other organisations such as the Scottish Womens Autistic Network (SWAN) and the Autism Network.
Aimee Millington, senior co-ordinator said: "This project is the first in Highland to address the support that autistic parents may need during their pregnancies and the first years of their child’s life. We know that work for autistic people must be developed in partnership and we are delighted that autistic people have co-designed and will deliver this project."
Contact details and more information for Home-Start Caithness:
Tel: 01955 609163
Email: aimee@homestartcaithness.org.uk
Secure email for NHS and Highland Council employees: nhsh.homestartcaithnessadmin@nhs.scot
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HomeStartCaithness
Instagram: @HomeStartCaithness
Website: www.homestartcaithness.org.uk
Donate via PayPal: PayPal.Me/HomeStartCaithness
Donate when shopping online via EasyFundraising: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/invite/80Q0CY/VHN5N1
The charity is always looking for volunteers to help with home visits or to fundraise for it. Please contact it to see how you can help.