***Please Note:***
We are not currently accepting referrals for the ENSURE Project
The ENSURE Project was an initiative designed to promote the lives, wishes, and wellbeing of autistic adults in Kent and Medway.
We worked alongside academic partners and our experts-by-experience to develop specialist training packages – to teach autistic adults the skills and confidence to become trained Peer Supporters.
Volunteers were then matched with local Mentees and used their taught skills and personal experiences to support others through up to 12 weeks of 1-to-1 Peer Buddying.
The ENSURE Project was funded through Kent County Council (KCC) and EU-partnerships. The project ended in August 2022.
We welcome interest from and conversation with commissioners and other organisations who may be able to offer funding to continue this valuable work.
For more information, please email us at SEAS@advocacyforall.org.uk
Who were our Peer Supporters?
All of our Peer Supporters were autistic adults aged 18 (or over) and who live in Kent and Medway.
They are all independent in the community and were willing to volunteer their time to learn new skills and to support others.
Our project aims:
• To build a regular, reliable and friendly contact for someone who might not have this and as a result feel isolated.
• To empower the peer supporter and mentee to build their social skills to make friends and develop social relationships.
• To enable the peer supporter to develop the skills to make friends outside the project.
• To build real friendships which may be able to stand on their own without the need of a formalised peer support structure.
“Ensure, empowering people with high functioning autism to break down barriers to social isolation and exclusion.”
– Our Mission Statement.