Fife One Stop Shop
Help enhance our services at our One Stop Shop in Fife
We are seeking contributions to improve the facilities at our One Stop Shop in Kirkcaldy. Our One Stop Shop in Kirkcaldy supports autistic young people and their families/carers, autistic adults, and professionals throughout Fife. Services include online and in-person peer support groups, including LGBTQIA+ groups, and peer support for families within schools across Fife.
This service is urgently seeking £2,270 to support with costs for new furniture, technology sensory equipment and art supplies. This will create a more welcoming and inviting space for our peer support groups.
Our One Stop Shop supports hundreds of people from across Fife every year on a range of issues such as emotional support, help understanding an autism diagnosis and transitions. The service provides advice and support to autistic people, their families, friends and other professionals. Our approach places individuals at the centre of the work we do. From January to March 2024, the team have delivered adult peer support to 45 individuals across all groups and parent and carer peer support to 24 parents.
Some of the services the One Stop Shop offers include:
- Advice and Information Service – Available by Phone or Email
- One-to-one appointments (in person or online)
- Peer Support Groups
- Support for Transitions
- Support and advice to access services in the community
- Parent groups
- Information and advice for professionals
Peer Support Groups
Many of the adults supported by our peer support groups attend on a regular basis and have formed bonds with their fellow peers enabling additional opportunities to socialise away from the One Stop Shop. Parents of adults attending our peer support groups have also joined our parents of autistic adults group and are valuing the opportunity to interact with others.
Over the last 10 months, the One Stop Shop has expanded the peer support opportunities for austistic adults, parents, carers and partners. We currently offer peer support for autistic adults, LGBTQI+ peer support groups, chronic pain peer support groups, peer support for parents as well as exploring peer support for partners of autistic adults. We also offer peer support to families within primary schools across Fife and there is potential for more schools in the region to take part.
Our peer support opportunities are continuing to grow and we are passionate about delivering high quality support to the autistic community across Fife. The One Stop Shop has plans to launch peer support walking groups and an informal art group to enable our community to use their shared interest to create further social links within a safe and accepting space.
The Need
With these plans in mind, the team at the One Stop Shop would love to create a more welcoming and inviting space for their peer support groups and those attending appointments. Currently the furniture is very basic, functional and uncomfortable. We would love to create a more inviting and calming environment to meet the sensory needs of the individuals who attend the service. Thinking of the sensory needs of people visiting the One Stop Shop will alleviate and create less stressful experiences thus will help people feel comfortable and safe to be creative.
Costings
Funding for the One Stop Shop would be spent as follows:
- Furniture set x2(£1158)
- Swivel Barrel Chairs x2 (£446)
- Art Supplies (£250)
- Kids Tablet (£135)
- Sensory Cuddle Square (£72)
- Sensory Bubble Fidgets (£10)
- LED Floor Lamp (£39)
- Toy Box (£10)
- Toys for Children (£150)
Total: £2,270
Please get involved and show your support by donating or taking part in your own fundraising activities for our One Stop Shop.
To illustrate the amazing support the One Stop Shop can give, please see Rich’s Story included below.
Should you require any further information or have any specific questions about this application, please do not hesitate to contact fundraising@scottishautism.org.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
I heard about the One Stop Shop at the age of 34. I was being assessed for being autistic. At that time, you had to have been assessed to get help from the One Stop Shop to see someone.
I had a meeting at the office to see what support I could get. I was told about a course that I could attend “Getting to know about autism.” I did the course but only to try to make friends, as at the time I didn't have a social life.
During COVID, it all changed with new funding and people. A Zoom group was started. Then after COVID an in-person peer support group started, which I attended. That gave me the chance to make friends, which boosted my confidence. Then another group started called LGBTQIA+ Peer Support group in person held at The Hive LGBT+ Centre. This too has helped me, as I'm gay and wanted to meet LGBTQIA+ autistic people.
The One Stop Shop has helped me with my confidence, I know there is always a member of staff to talk to if I need help.