Finding Your voice

Finding Your Voice is a lived-experience-led creative wellbeing programme for autistic girls and non-binary young people.

It is designed for young people who may feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, or unable to fully be themselves in other spaces.

Across 7 sessions, young people will explore identity, emotions and self-expression through:

  • Journalling

  • Drawing and collage

  • Creative prompts

  • Sensory exploration

  • Emotional regulation tools

  • Identity and self-understanding

This is a non-clinical, low-pressure space - there is no expectation to talk, share or perform.

Young people can take part in the way that works for them.

Information

This information is for the first cohort - information may change for later cohorts.

Autistic girls and non binary young people

Aged 11- 18

Date- Sunday 17th May - 21st June

Final session- Saturday 27th June

Time- 1:15pm- 2:45pm

Location- North London, Barnet area

This programme is for:

Autistic girls and non-binary young people

Aged 11–18(flexibility up to 25 where appropriate)

Based in or connected to Barnet

A formal diagnosis is not required.

Particularly suited to young people who:

Masks heavily or feels exhausted from trying to “fit in”

Experiences anxiety, overwhelm or shutdown

Finds it hard to express what they need

Feels misunderstood in school, services or social spaces

Has had difficult experiences with CAMHS or other support

Would benefit from a calm, creative, non-clinical environment

WHAT we do

Core Programme (Cohort Model)

7-week programme

Weekly sessions (90 minutes)

Small group (approx. 8–10 young people)

Location TBC

Each young person builds a personal “tool book” -

something that reflects them and supports them beyond the sessions.

Outreach Workshops (Schools & Community)

One-off sessions delivered in Barnet schools and settings

Introduces creative journalling and emotional expression tools

Includes take-home creative packs

Small group sizes

Sensory-aware environment

Flexible participation

Clear structure and expectations

All staff are;

DBS checked

Safeguarding trained

Inclusive practitioners

Lived Experience Led, creative Not Clinical, trauma informed, neurodivergent affirming, co-produced

Sessions are low-pressure, choice-led, and creative.

There is:

no expectation to speak

no expectation to share

no “right way” to take part

Sessions include:

Creative journalling

Drawing, collage and writing

Exploring identity and lived experience

Emotional regulation tools

Sensory and grounding activities

Example themes:

What does being autistic mean to me?

Masking and authenticity

Emotions and overwhelm

Identity and self-understanding

Boundaries and safe spaces

OUTCOMES and IMPACT

short term

Improved understanding of self

Reduced internalised shame

Creative freedom and opportunities

medium term

Increased confidence and identity clarity

Better communication of needs

Improved emotional regulation

LONG TERM

Reduce crisis escalation

Stronger sense of belonging

Increased engagement with support

more information

Finding Your Voice is funded through the
North Central and East London CAMHS Provider Collaborative (NCEL) 2025/26 Grant Scheme,
in partnership with Compass Wellbeing CIC.