Derbyshire hubs for neurodiverse young people launched

Michael, who was diagnosed with autism aged 41, said people would be able to share their experiences with others

A man who works with parents of children with autism has said the launch of drop-in hubs for neurodiverse young people "is a new start".

New "neuro hubs" have opened in Derby, Ripley, Chesterfield, and Buxton.

They aim to provide support to under-25s and their families, without the need for assessment or diagnosis.

Nicola Smith, from the Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board, said the facilities "should help to improve quality of life" for young people.

Neurodivergence includes autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), foetal alcohol syndrome, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and social anxiety.

Ms Smith said officials had been motivated to set up the hubs after they found families and carers had been left waiting for long periods for clinical assessments and a clear diagnosis, which meant more help could have been provided sooner.

NHS England statistics show Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust had 1,905 people waiting to be assessed for autism in June compared to 590 two years ago in June 2021.

'Really powerful'

The NHS has invested £200,000 for the hubs to run for this first financial year, with a commitment to continue funding from 2024 to 2026.

Michael, from Buxton, who trains parents to help them understand autistic children, added: "Parents find they don't know where to go for services.

"This is hopefully a new start. Hopefully we can get the neurodiversity hubs up, running and they will have that one contact they can go to."

Michael, 47, who was diagnosed with autism himself at the age of 41, added the hubs were "a chance for people to share their experiences with people who have been there... it is going to be really powerful".

He said: "One of the things that can't be measured is what you prevent. If we can get people to understand what it means to be autistic then hopefully that will lower their levels of anxiety, their stress levels, lower chance of going into crisis.

"If we can do all of this, we are not only saving the NHS money but making fundamental differences to improving people's lives."

In the hubs, charities and voluntary organisations will support children and young people - and to their families and carers - with topics such as benefits, housing, employment, and clinical services.

NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board, Derbyshire Autism Services, Citizens Advice Mid Mercia, a range of charities, and parents and carers worked together to launch them.

Chris Pienaar, chief executive of Derbyshire Autism Services, said: "We wanted to provide support for the key areas that parents and carers told us about - being out and about, eating, sleeping, communicating and interacting, creating a positive environment, toileting, behaviour and sensory processing.

"They are available without long waits and on a 'return-whenever-you-like' basis. We aim to be like a trusted friend."