Enabling the Silent Voices of Autistic People to Be Heard
Ending Inequality for Hidden Disabilities and Conditions
As an Autistic people, you often feel:
- Excluded due to lack of understanding.
- Isolated and lonely.
- Don’t find the resources and information you need.
Overwhelmed by too much information out there.
- There are unconscious biases and assumptions by those around you.
Family members and professionals don’t understand you and deny you help.
You have conflicting information from different organisations and are confused.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
Be Included
Get your voice heard by being included.
Get Culturally appropriate Resources
Receive live experiences to meet your needs
Get precise and clear guidance
Receive up to date information from recommendable experts & organisations
The challenges many families have faced during COVID19 have brought to the forefront the hidden voices from the ethnic communities and dual heritage communities, such as lack of representation, resources, exploring cultural differences, and breakdown of communication for those with language barriers. It is astonishing that there is no statistical data on autism across the UK that focuses on ethnicity, culture, and race.
Don’t suffer in silence.
Talk to an expert who is qualified to provide you the best assistance to meet your needs. We are here to listen to you and find a safe space to be yourself.
Who We Help
Family
Providing support, advice, and information to the entire family
Autistic people
Where to find the relevant support for actually autistic people
Girls/Young women
Hosting online and face to face support with autistic speakers and specialists
Autistic Mothers
Useful information, especially for autistic mothers and teen mums
Fathers/single fathers & Male Carers
Support groups of fathers and male carers
Grand parents/Mature Carers
Useful information, especially for grandparents caring for autistic children.
Black community
Signposting services in regard to mental health, Stop & Search, domestic abuse, and social media
Education/ Training
Signposting services in regard to mental health, Stop & Search, domestic abuse, and social media
Professionals
Autism workshops for professionals working with autistic people and their families
Local Community Services
NHS, Clinical, Commissioning Group, Healthwatch, Social Prescribing
Businesses
Working in collaboration with our partners.
Criminal Justice System
Be aware of the red flags that can affect the well-being of your autistic child.
MEET VENESSA BOBB
Venessa Bobb is a mother of 3 – ages 22, 21, and 17. The two youngest is diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, and Severe Expressive Receptive Language.
The youngest has Benign Rolandic Epilepsy, and her oldest daughter is diagnosed with Moderate Language Difficulties.
Venessa is the founder of A2ndvoice CIC, a not-for-profit organisation set up in August 2018, which started as a self-help group in May 2012.
They run various projects focusing on Autism and other related conditions supporting the needs of autistic people and their families. They specialise in the Black African, Black Caribbean, Asian, and Minority Ethnic Communities and Dual Heritage Communities.
Providing online and in-person sessions: offering coffee mornings, workshops, 1:1 support, and also not forgetting professionals with autistic children and adults.
During COVID-19, Venessa and her team held over 160 webinars and meetings looking at various topics.
She is currently a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism (APPGA) Advisory Group, Content Developer for Anna Freud Centre and AT – Autism Associate.
Previously was member of the NHS England Parent Participation Forum, , Scottish Autism Affinity Peer Support, Chair/Branch Officer for NAS Lambeth Branch and Co-Chair for the Lambeth Autism Action Forum.
Venessa has appeared on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour, BBC London Radio, and Premier Classic Radio. She has been featured in The Sunday Times Magazine, The Guardian, SEN Magazine, Arise Magazine, The Voice Newspaper, Network Autism, and Autism Eye Magazine.
She took part in panel discussion and presentations in National Autistic Society Professional Conference, GCHQ Cheltenham, New Scotland Yard, West Kensington Police Station, Educational Psychologists Autism Special Interest Group, Special Needs Jungle, Autistic School Project, NAHT Girls & Autism conference, Anna Freud Centre, UCL, The TES SEN Show, Streatham, and Stockwell Job Centre. She also exhibited at The Autism Shows with Sensory Activation Solutions and Yotism.
A2ndvoice CIC will be at The Autism Show – London with friends.
She is also a host for the Autism in Racing Autism friendly sessions founded by Bobby Beevers who is a Horse Racing and Football Commentator.
She is the co-author of “Girls and Autism,” edited by Professor Barry Carpenter, Francesca Happe, and Jo Egerton.
Awards
Nominee of the National Diversity Awards – Positive Role Model Award 2022
Winner of the BATCA Community Award for Outstanding Services 2019
2nd Runner Up – National Autistic Society Volunteer of the Year 2018
- Community Activism – The NABSS 10th Anniversary Awards 2017
- Nominee of the Include Me Too – Inspirational Mother of the Year Award 2015
Winner of Wandsworth Civic – Unsung Local Heroes Awards 2015
PARTNERS, SUPPORTERS AND SPONSORS
WHAT PEOPLE SAY?
I have known Venessa for over a decade. Her sterling and dedicated work have come into its own as the years have gone by. She is a trailblazer in educating, sharing, and empowering the masses valuable information on the cultural, racial representation within autism spanning all contexts. She is a passionate and dedicated woman with a strong moral and ethical ethos, she is personable, kind, forward-thinking, and direct, and this filters into her work. I highly recommend Venessa and A2ndvoice as the place to go for education on the broader and much-needed cultural aspects of autism.
Through the APPGA Advisory Group, I’ve also had the chance to work with the amazing @BobbVenessa, who is a brilliant ally and champion of autistic people and does a fantastic job chairing the @lambethNAS branch and running @a2ndvoice.
Aji Lewis (#SeniLaw) highly recommended @bobbvenessa with regards to The Restrictive Interventions and Safeguard Children (RRISC) group work, and I really hope we get to meet her.
It’s always a pleasure to be part of the team with A2nd Voice – their events are stimulating, fun, and always well-attended! – Suzy Rowland, Author, Autism & ADHD Specialist, PCBT
When you are Autistic, trying to be listened to is hard unless there is a crisis!
Through a simple 3-step process, I’ll work with you to help you and your family to provide the solution you need.
PROGRAMS
BOOK
Girls and Autism – Educational, Family, and Personal Perspectives
Edited By Barry Carpenter, Francesca Happé, Jo Egerton
Contribution – Venessa Bobb – Chapter 6
PODCAST
Listen to the new episode of the A2ndvoice podcast for thought-provoking lived experiences packed with inspiration and empowering sessions.
A2ndvoice Looking at the Cultural Perspective of Autism
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