Unheard Voices: experiences of support of neurodivergent young Black people in South Gloucestershire
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Healthwatch South Gloucestershire undertook focus groups with neurodivergent young Black people to understand their experiences of support. They spoke to 31 people.
Young people emphasised the need for both increased physical accessibility of services and improved digital accessibility, and flexible service provision to meet individual needs.
Young people revealed that there is a lack of awareness amongst neurodivergent young people of available local support, and some low trust in service providers. Building trust and ensuring confidentiality were seen as essential for improving engagement and outcomes.
Young people said that their families, friends, and peer groups provide them with vital emotional, social, and practical support. Peer mentoring: Young people felt that peer mentoring, particularly in educational settings, was viewed as particularly beneficial where people had received this.
Young people called for more support in finding suitable educational and training opportunities, mentorship within education, job-seeking help, and tailored career advice.
Young people felt that there is a need for GPs, other health professionals and educational service providers to receive [more] training on autism and ADHD and its impact on health and daily life, to support neurodivergent young people and signpost them to appropriate services.
Access to counselling, therapy, and 1:1 mental health support was identified as crucial for maintaining independence. Where participants had received 1:1 mental health support this was highly valued.
Cultural barriers were seen as significant. However, participants also commented on the general lack of awareness by service providers of neurodivergent support needs and the lack of specialist support.