YAAP Kettering

Welcome!

YAAP is an exciting opportunity to meet like-minded people, at the same time as have a say on the development of services for young people with Autistic Spectrum Condition.

Some of the projects we get involved with will also offer opportunity to receive gift vouchers as a ‘thank you’ for your input. You will always have a choice over whether to take part, and you can express yourself however you feel comfortable.  Some people may be happy to talk to tell us what they think, others may prefer to write or draw for example.

Meet the Team:

Diane Johnson
Founder & CEO

Bee Manners
Peer Support Worker

Fiona Jones
Project Worker

As a team we have Autistic Spectrum Condition (and/or lived experience of ASC) and are passionate about ensuring services that are developed involve those with lived experience throughout the development as well as evaluating how good they are.  This is sometimes called co-production, participation, or engagement.  It basically means that the people who the services are for, are involved in things from the start, as well as saying how good it is.

What are YAAP meetings like?

The most important thing is that you aren't forced to do anything you don’t want to do.  We will listen to what you want and develop future sessions around that.  The meetings will include time to get to know each other, as well as time to explore an issue facing young people with ASC, or respond to a something we have been asked to give a view on. We have social activities too as well as having pizza every time!

What sorts of things might we get involved in?

There will be lots of opportunities to have your voice heard, and the more we get known, the more opportunities are arising. We have already got involved with the Key Worker Project, have interviewed for staff recruitment and developed information resources.  
Other involvement tasks may include:
• Developing Job descriptions
• Developing/feeding back on communication materials organisations use
• Reviewing effectiveness of services
• Identifying and feeding back gaps in services
• Research opportunities

Can I bring a carer/support worker?

We recognise that ASC has a diverse spectrum of needs and we would love to be able to capture the views of all young people wherever they are on the spectrum.  We also appreciate how daunting it can be to come to a meeting for the first time on your own. If it would help you to bring a parent/carer/support worker, that is absolutely fine, but the focus will be on your views as young people, not the carer’s views.

Where is YAAP Kettering?

We meet at Telford Lodge, Rothwell Road, Kettering at 5pm – 7pm every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Dates for 2024 are HERE

We have a private function room for our group so we won’t be in the noisy area of the restaurant.

The sessions will broadly follow the following format:
• Introductions from staff team and overview of the session
• A reminder of the purpose of YAAP
• An introduction-based activity for us to get to know each other
• Update from Diane of progress of projects we are involved with and future opportunities including any visitors.
• FOOD
• Smaller group time to discuss themes and issues and review services. Also, to have a say on the way new services are developed

Any Questions?

Please ask!! We really want everyone to be involved that wants to be… If we need to do something different to make it easier for you, we will, but we need you to let us know.

If you have any specific questions, or would simply like more information, you can use the Contact Form or email us at info@enfold.org.uk

We look forward to welcoming you to a meeting very soon!