Daisy Chain

Founded in 2003, Daisy Chain's mission is to support and empower autistic and neurodivergent individuals through the provision of holistic person-centred services, whilst promoting training, wellbeing, inclusion and acceptance regionally and nationwide. Their shared vision is for every person they support to live a life they enjoy and is meaningful to them at every stage.

From April 2023 to March 2024, the organisation has supported over 6600 families through a variety of holistic services on their 5.5-acre site, from their purpose-built day-centre, farm, gardens, allotments. The facilities offer a whole host of therapeutic opportunities designed to increase confidence and wellbeing. These include animal therapy sessions, forestry skills-based learning, non-competitive sports and cooking skills. They also deliver support services from outreach locations across the North East and Yorkshire.

Daisy Chain goes above and beyond in supporting the diverse needs of individuals within the autistic and neurodivergent community. In addition to their foundational services, the organisation offers specialised assistance to emotionally based school avoiders and individuals facing the risk of hospitalisation. This approach ensures that everyone receives the support they need to thrive, fostering a sense of belonging, empowerment, and well-being within the community.

Support from players of People's Postcode Lottery positively impacts many areas of Daisy Chain's frontline services, including:

• Services For Children and Young People, offering a variety of engaging clubs and activities tailored to the unique needs and interests of individuals aged 0-17 such as Family Activity Days, and High Needs Sundays. Provision of a nurturing environment allows young people to develop social skills, build confidence, and form lasting friendships.

• Family Services provide support to parents, carers, and families navigating neurodevelopment diversity, with a current special focus on seldom heard communities such as financially vulnerable families, rural families, and families from ethnic minorities. They offer tailored support to ensure comprehensive assistance tailored to diverse needs.

• The Wellbeing Service, which is a person-centred and nurturing service providing empowering support that is personalised to people's unique experiences, wishes, feelings and goals.

Daisy Chain has provided this support alongside developing transitional programmes to support people moving into adulthood, empowering them to live independently. These programmes include employability services, support with housing, benefits and independent living, community connect social groups and life skills workshops such as first aid and fire safety.

"Autism is a difference, not a deficit. Differences are to be valued not 'fixed'. My normal is different from your normal and the aim shouldn't be conformity but wellbeing." - Autistic member of Autism Education Trust young person's panel.

Daisy Chain is committed to raising not just awareness, but also acceptance of the need for a neuroinclusive society. They promote a strengths-based approach, focusing on the unique strengths of each individual and supporting them to lead lives that are meaningful to them. Although autistic people face challenges, they significantly contribute to the world around them, enriching it with their diverse perspectives and abilities. Daisy Chain would like to say a huge thank you to the players of People's Postcode Lottery for their continued support.