Third sector to be given £2.5m to support autistic adults

A £2.5 million fund to support autistic adults in Scotland has opened.

The Autistic Adult Support Fund will be made available to third-sector organisations providing services for autistic adults.

Since 2023, £1.5m has been allocated to 15 groups, including those helping autistic people enter and remain in the workplace.

The latest round of funding is now open and will provide cash from October this year to March 2028.

Maree Todd, the minister for social care and mental wellbeing, said: “We know the third sector plays a crucial role in improving the lives of autistic people, and this fund will support organisations to help the autistic people they work with lead fulfilling, independent, and active lives.

“The grants will be used to support autistic adults to thrive, helping them access services and improve general wellbeing so they can get involved in and truly feel a part of their community.

“Our commitment to multi-year funding will ensure that funded projects have the security and space to develop and grow, and ensure that the quality of support they provide is as high as it can be.”

Celia Tennant, chief executive at Inspiring Scotland, said: “We are pleased to be managing the application process for the new phase of the Scottish Government’s Autistic Adult Support Fund.

“We know from working in this area there is a real need to provide support to autistic adults around diagnosis or to understand their autism to improve wellbeing.

“We look forward to hearing from applicants that meaningfully involve autistic people in the development, design and delivery of the activity to improve life chances for autistic adults in Scotland.”

Organisations can apply for the funding through the Inspiring Scotland website at https://inspiringscotland.org.uk/fund/autistic-adult-support-fund/.