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Afrikindness, a community-focused organization dedicated to supporting families and raising awareness about neurodiversity, has launched a new initiative to provide support and resources for families from ethnic minority communities in Leeds. The programme, funded by Leeds Community Foundation, aims to address the challenges faced by these families in accessing support for children with autism.
The programme comes as a response to a research study conducted by Dr. Vivian Okoye, Neurodiversity & Inclusion Team Lead at Afrikindness. Dr. Okoye found that many Black African parents struggle to find the right support for their children with autism due to a lack of awareness and cultural barriers.
In a statement regarding the award, Leeds Community Foundation expressed their support for the project, emphasizing the importance of addressing the specific needs of minority communities. The project was selected to be funded as the Sylvie Nunn Memorial Award, set up to recognise the most ideas that break new ground for underrepresented communities and support those often overlooked to be heard.
The funding will enable Afrikindness to implement their Neurodiversity Community Campaign, which will focus on training volunteers to educate others about autism and inclusion, as well as organizing community events and workshops for parents.
Dr. Vivian Okoye, Neurodiversity and Inclusion Team Lead at Afrikindness, expressed gratitude for the support, stating, “We are incredibly grateful to the Leeds Community Foundation
for their generous support of our Neurodiversity Community Programme. With their backing, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of families in Leeds, ensuring they receive the support and resources they need to navigate the challenges of autism.”
The project aims to directly assist around 200 families and train an additional 50 individuals, including teachers and community leaders, through their network of volunteers. Afrikindness is committed to ensuring that every family, regardless of background or belief, receives the support they need.
If successful, the pilot project will serve as a model for similar initiatives across England, furthering Afrikindness’ mission of promoting inclusivity and support for neurodiverse individuals and their families.
For more information about the Neurodiversity Community Programme and how to get involved, please contact info@afrikindness.org or visit their website.
