Category Archives: News

We are delighted to announce that the Highland One Stop Shop will remain operational for the rest of this financial year. We are extremely grateful to the Scottish Government’s Wellbeing and Resilience Funds for providing us with much needed funds, and, together with funds raised locally and by our fundraisers through trusts, we are close to the amount needed to fund the service until March 2021. These funds, along with the financial commitment made by Autism Initiatives, have enabled us to give you this good news so early in the year. Fantastic news that we are sure you will all be as pleased to receive as we were. Thanks again to all of our service users, their families and support staff for your ongoing support during this uncertain time.

17/3/20

Dear Stakeholder,

In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic and Government guidance on how to minimise the spread of it, we are having to make some changes to how we provide our One Stop Shop services.  As of immediate effect, we are cancelling all groups and drop-ins.  This is in order to adopt ‘social distancing’ as is recommended by our Government.  We will still, at this time, be able to provide 1:1 telephone appointments. Please arrange these by contacting one of our Coordinators.  If it is absolutely necessary, we will be able to provide you with 1:1 appointments at the OSS – again, this must be arranged with one of our Coordinators in advance.  We will not be able to provide a service to someone who ‘just turns up’.

I appreciate that this is a very worrying time.  The uncertainty of how long these, and other measures, need to be in place for, is adding to everyone’s concern.  Hopefully, by taking these measures and following Government advice, we will be able to resume our normal service soon.  I will keep you updated of any changes to our approach.

Thank you, in anticipation, for your understanding.

With kindest regards,

Cathy Steedman

National Director

Take care and best wishes from all of us at HOSS…

 

We are currently updating our website so some of our information is out of date.  We have recently moved in to new premises (see photo) Please contact our service at 1/1a Friars Street, Inverness, IV1 1RJ, 01463 717649 or email highlandoss@aiscotland.org.uk for all information

 

It has been an extra special World Autism Awareness Day as we have been able to officially open our Highland One Stop Shop service today in Inverness.

As part of the Scottish Government’s autism strategy, One Stop Shop services, based on our original Number 6 One Stop Shop model are being rolled out across Scotland. Autism Initiatives Scotland is operating the Highland One Stop Shop which will support people aged 16 and over with autism from across the Highland region.

The service aims to be user led, meaning that the services and support it provides will be developed with direct input from the people using the service.

It is the first service for adults with autism in the region. At today’s launch over 100 people came to find out more so we are very excited to see how we can meet the support needs of people with autism in the Highlands.