Supporting You
Peer Support Service
Our peer support service offers a unique approach to support via lived experience directly from other neurodivergent individuals through member led activities and groups. As a self advocacy network, it’s vital that the neurodivergent voice remains at the forefront of what we aim to achieve, and having a member led approach allows us to support service users with the things that remain important to them.
Not only are the majority of our volunteers and staff neurodivergent, but we ensure a high percentage of neurodivergent people on our board of trustees to ensure that the ethos behind the charity remains.
Brene brown wrote: Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be to fit in. Belonging, on the other hand, doesn’t require us to change who we are.
Collectively, our network aims to support individuals to feel comfortable in belonging; to feel open to be themselves, not only without judgement, but with a sense of pride and belonging with those around them. We have a safe and welcome space for individuals to share experiences and be part of a community that values and respects them for both their strengths and difficulties in life.
Self-advocacy Service
As part of our self advocacy service, we have created the opportunity for neurodivergent people in Tees Valley to share their lived experience. We hold a weekly self-advocacy group, where members are invited to discuss various topics that affect us. We regularly invite outside services, such as Safer Communities and Arch, to the group to discuss our experiences and work with them to improve their services for neurodivergent individuals.
We are currently piloting a ‘human library,’ where agencies and services arrange for a unique approach to training by discussing social needs directly with our service users, as a way of working with local agencies to enhance their services.
Support for Carers and Families
We’re in the process of working on new services for parents and carers that our charity can offer. Our drop in is always open for a chat and parents, carers and families are always welcome to join us at our walk and talk.
If you are interested in volunteering to help support parents, especially those with experience as a parent we would love to hear from you.
Tees Valley Buddies want all neurotypical and neurodivergent parents and carers who are struggling to know that you are not alone and that we are here to support you.
Our neurodiversity friendly parent and carer support group is a great way to meet other parents who you can relate to and share similar experiences with and meet new friends. We are here to support you through your challenges as well as celebrating your joys.