Writing East Midlands secures £460,000 for Beyond the Spectrum, a creative writing network for autistic people across the UK.  

Beyond the Spectrum is a three-year UK-wide creative programme, led by professional autistic writers. It will help autistic adults and young people produce live events, festivals, writing collections, podcasts, films, and role-playing game scripts. Participants will meet online and in person to create new work and make social connections.

Evidence shows * Rhyme and Reason Poetry Night – Writing East Midlands that by taking part in workshops, events and masterclasses, autistic people gain skills and confidence, and become members of a thriving community. Membership boosts well-being, and for some, reduces feelings of isolation.

Many have gone on to perform work for the first time and have been published. They report that participation increases their sense of agency, as the project encourages them to have their say, and by being heard, they can challenge myths about autism and unlock their creative potential in the process.

‘We are delighted and grateful to Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, and to the Shine Lincolnshire Mental Health & Wellbeing Community Investment Fund for believing in Beyond the Spectrum’s power and potential to have significant creative and social impact. This investment will enable us to expand the project to a national scale in conjunction with a host of excellent partners up and down the UK. We can’t wait to write with those autistic people out there who don’t currently feel as though their voices are being heard.’

Henderson Mullin CEO, Writing East Midlands

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‘I started writing after my diagnosis at 56 and now have two published poetry collections so can vouch for the enabling aspects of being involved in creative writing. Having been involved in Beyond the Spectrum since its inception, I have seen the benefits that it has brought to others as well as the range and quality emerging from the autistic facilitated groups. I welcome this fantastic opportunity for WEM to extend those benefits to autistic people nationally.’

Trevor Wright FRSA

Diversity Trust Trainer, NDTI Associate and NHS Oliver McGowan Lead Trainer.

• £460,353 from: Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, and Shine Lincolnshire Mental Health & Wellbeing Community Investment Fund will fund the three-year project between 2024 and 2027.
• Participants will join writing groups led by a hundred professional autistic writers from across the UK.
• The network will be joined together by a digital literary hub, and which will provide creative resources, highlight work by autistic writers, host development opportunities, and link to health and well-being support services.
• There will be the first autism led literary festivals in the country, and a new magazine, which will seek to bring about positive changes to the way the UK sees autism, and the way autistic people see themselves.
•  A wide range of partners from autism service providers, arts organisations, library authorities, and the NHS so far include: National Autistic Society, Anna Kennedy Online, Lincolnshire Autistic Society, Autistic Nottingham, Autism East Midlands, Autism Berkshire,  Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Bradford City of Culture, Bishop Grosseteste University, Nottingham Trent University, New Writing South, Spread the Word, National Centre for Writing, Writing West Midlands, Literature Works, Creative Future, and New Writing North.  Interested parties should contact below. 

Beyond the Spectrum began as a pilot project in 2020 and has grown exponentially over the last four years.

*Research conducted in 2023 by Rachel Phillips, and Lai-Sang Lau, Senior Psychology Lecturers, Nottingham Trent University.

More information: Email: Sian Tower education@writingeastmidlands.co.uk 

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New partners contact henderson@writingeastmidlands.co.uk

Web site: www.beyondthespectrum.uk

Anyone interested in joining the waiting list for free places should register their interest here. Beyond The Spectrum (BTS) WAITING LIST (wufoo.com) 

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