Informal online support group for neurodiverse adults in Teesside
A charity says Christmas and New Year can be difficult for feeling lonely and isolated
A Teesside autism charity says it's going to be a difficult time for some neurodiverse adults who feel lonely and isolated as we approach closer to Christmas and New Year.
MAIN, which is based in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, is urging people who need help and support to join an informal, online meet-up group from 6.30pm tonight to talk or just to listen.
On its website, it says: "Chat MAIN is an informal online meet-up designed specifically for autistic and neurodiverse adults, with or without a diagnosis or if you are on the Pathway, 18+.
"We understand that navigating adulthood with autism or other neurodivergent experiences can sometimes feel isolating. That’s why this group offers a safe, welcoming space to talk, listen, and feel supported.
"The group is hosted by friendly MAIN team members who prioritise creating a calm and respectful atmosphere. You can join in as much or as little as you like, there’s no pressure to speak if you prefer to just listen, camera’s can be turned off, it is YOUR preference."
Helen Keen, volunteer, said: "The nature of being neurodivergent is people can feel nervous to join a group that they've never even heard of before, they don't know what to expect when they get on, they don't know who's going to be on the other end of that call and that might be a little bit overwhelming, and there might not be somebody who's completely comfortable in those spaces.
"I think it's just about finding a place where people understand and I think through that understanding, you build rapport, connections, and there's no better feeling than speaking to somebody where you don't have to overexplain what you're going through, they just get it, and it might be different variations of what you're going through.
"It's just an open space where no conversation would be off the table but it's a place where you can just come, there's no silly question, there's no need to put your camera on, you don't have to speak, you can write in the text box. There's no pressure whatsoever to participate, even if you want to be like 'oh, what's this about?' Or just have a little listen whilst you're cooking your tea."
Katherine Palmer, business development coordinator at MAIN, said: "Social anxiety is a real thing and people worry about too many people in their house, not being in charge of who's coming and going, the different foods that could be around, and all of this just adds more and more anxiety.
"We can help them plan ahead for the next week or so because you haven't just got Christmas, you've got New Year and it's just trying to give them a few coping mechanism and alleviate stress and really Christmas day is just another day."
How to join
If you’d like to be part of Chat MAIN, email [email protected]
Once they receive your interest, they will send you out a Microsoft Teams invite with joining information and guides on being respectful to others, giving each other the opportunity to talk without interruption and understanding that we all have our own boundaries.