Learning Disability Today
Supporting professionals working in learning disability and autism services

Boshier Grant awarded to three autistic charities

Three charities that support autistic people and their families will receive funds from the annual Boshier Grant Scheme from the National Autistic Society.

Brook Young People, Restraint Reduction Network and the Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum all directly benefit autistic people with a focus on healthy relationships, childbirth, and tackling the unmet needs of autistic children, young people and their carers from ethnic minority communities.

The charity launched the annual Boshier Grant Scheme in 2023 in partnership with Thea and Peter Boshier. The scheme awards grants of up to £25,000 to registered charities across the UK. Thea and Peter have personal and professional connections to autism and have experienced first-hand the challenges faced by autistic people and their families.

Thea and Peter Boshier said: “We are once again delighted to be supporting such imaginative charities working alongside autistic people through the second year of the Boshier Grant Scheme. We are sure that these grants will make a huge impact, and we look forward to seeing the outcome of the work they propose to carry out over the coming year.”

Boshier Grant will help create resources for autistic people

Brook Young People will create a suite of healthy relationship resources to ensure that Relationships and Sex Education information sessions meet the needs of autistic young people during key stages of their adolescent development. The resources will be co-designed by autistic young people.

A spokesperson said: “At Brook, we believe that all young people deserve access to high quality, inclusive relationships and sex education (RSE). However, we also know that many schools are not currently equipped with the resources they need to make RSE accessible for autistic young people.

“Thanks to the Boshier Grant Scheme, Brook is now co-designing a new suite of lesson plans, guides and activities with autistic young people, based on their needs and experiences of RSE. These new accessible resources will empower autistic young people with the knowledge and skills they need to manage their own sexual health and develop healthy relationships.”

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Restraint Reduction Network will create resources to improve the experience of autistic people during pregnancy and childbirth, and these will include a resource specifically for autistic people and a resource for midwives, doctors and birthing units discussing how their services can be adapted to improve experiences for autistic individuals. Autistic people will co-produce both resources.

A spokesperson said: “The Restraint Reduction Network are delighted to have been awarded the Boshier Grant funding. Far too often, autistic people and their babies are impacted by interactions and practices which conflict with their most natural way of being, causing discomfort and distress. We are looking forward to developing useful and right respecting resources to help people and staff support autistic pregnancy and parenting.”

Training to address and reduce cultural stigma

Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum will work to tackle the unmet needs of autistic children, young people and their carers from ethnic minority communities by providing culturally competent peer and family support, advocacy and delivering training to address and reduce cultural stigma.

A spokesperson said: “We are grateful and thrilled to receive the Boshier Grant, which will enable Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum to provide personalised support for carers of autistic people from minority communities. The grant not only helps us meet the growing demand for this service but also carers with the resources and guidance they need to navigate their unique challenges.

“The Boshier Grant has also enabled us to receive training on how to recognise and support the mental health needs of autistic people. We are really excited to grow and to make a difference around understanding autism and breaking down stigmas in the community.”

The application period for the next funding cycle of the Boshier Grant Scheme is due to open in July 2025.

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Alison Bloomer
Alison Bloomer is Editor of Learning Disability Today. She has over 25 years of experience writing for medical journals and trade publications. Subjects include healthcare, pharmaceuticals, disability, insurance, stock market and emerging technologies. She is also a mother to a gorgeous 13-year-old boy who has a learning disability.

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