Creating Hope Through Autistic Community

Andy Smith, founder of Spectrum Gaming, will be talking about the importance of the autistic community and the hope that it can create. This supports autistic wellbeing and thriving. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the topic.

Andy is an autistic adult and the founder of Spectrum Gaming, a charity that supports over 1,600 autistic young people across the UK. Spectrum Gaming was created to provide a space where autistic young people from across the UK could develop friendships in a safe community, in response to the loneliness and isolation that many experience.

As well as running the social community, Andy frequently delivers autism training and is a well-known for his advocacy work with autistic young people. 2023 saw the launch of the website https://autismunderstood.co.uk , and a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister.

More importantly, Andy is most proud that he is able to continue to bring autistic people together to make social connections, improve self-acceptance and help struggling young people experience the joy and happiness they deserve. The Wellbeing Hub is a new initiative, funded by University of Reading Alumni. The aim of the Hub is to bring together autistic people, their families, practitioners and researchers to co-produce and deliver neurodiversity-affirming activities that support autistic young people and their families to thrive and flourish.