Funding and Support

We are incredibly grateful to our grant funders (shown below) and to the many individuals who have kindly supported our work.  Funds raised are used to plan and manage support for autistic girls and women. This includes online and in-person Sessions and Programmes, helping towards the costs of service delivery staff, venues, essential tech and resources for Sessions.  If you are able to donate even a small amount to support our families, it would mean a great deal to our beneficiaries.

Partnership working and corporate sponsorship

We work in partnership wherever possible;  we welcome enquiries from businesses and other organisations about potential opportunities for joint work or cost sharing.  Email jo@appeer.org.uk.

Volunteering

Our programmes and sessions cover a wide range of topics, hobbies and skills for our autistic girls, teens and women. The voluntary donation of expertise and time by professionals or experts in any field is always valuable. If you feel you can help, contact jo@appeer.org.uk. 

Surrey Mental Health Investment Fund and how it has supported Appeer

We are so grateful for the funding we received from the Surrey Mental Health Investment Fund. Over the last year Appeer have been further addressing the social isolation experienced by autistic girls after receiving £49,999 from the Mental Health Investment Fund.

One of the activities the fund supported us to deliver was our Ad Hoc Alpaca Session.  The girls got to walk with the alpacas and find out more about them.  We were thrilled to find out that two of the alpacas were named Gavin and Stacey! Kris , our AP Programme Manager, said: “The squeals of delight from the girls when the alpacas ran in to be fed were wonderful. We had lots of new girls at the session who were worried about coming because they didn’t know what to expect, but by the end of the session, they told us they wanted to come along to our Monthly Groups. One of our little ones had a tricky morning and arrived very anxious. By the time she cuddled her alpaca, she was calm and went home very happy. Sessions like these are very important for girls who feel isolated. Some girls only have school-related activities in their lives and don’t have time to join in our Monthly Sessions. These gatherings give them the opportunity to meet others and have a lot of fun together.”

Sarah Wimblett, Health Policy Advisor at Surrey County Council, recently visited us and participated in an alpaca walk to see how the Mental Health Investment Fund (MHIF) money was being used. She said: “Seeing the tangible benefits of the MHIF project and how it positively impacts the lives of autistic girls and their families is truly inspiring.  Appeer is committed to enhancing the wellbeing of autistic girls and their families through various initiatives that provide early support, reduce social isolation, and foster a sense of community. Their dedication in providing tailored support and creating engaging activities like the alpaca walk is commendable.”

Councillor Mark Nuti, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, and Public Health, said: “It’s clear that Appeer is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those they support. This initiative not only focuses on the girls but also extends essential support to their families, fostering a holistic approach to mental wellbeing.”

The Mental Health Investment Fund is a joint fund from Surrey County Council and NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB, and it aims to support innovative projects that enhance the mental health and wellbeing of people across the county. To date, over £8 million has been allocated to mental health initiatives across different parts of Surrey.

For more information about the Mental Health Investment Fund, please visit Surrey Mental Health Investment Fund – Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)