Celebrating Differences Campaign - frequently asked questions
What is the campaign about?
It is about recognising and celebrating examples where organisations and community venues have made positive changes to become more accessible and inclusive for Autistic people and people who have a learning disability across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent.
What will the campaign involve?
It is a media campaign where we will share promotional films of the positive examples found along with information to raise awareness such as awareness training opportunities, awareness videos, Autistic celebrities and celebrities with learning difficulties, and local support groups available across a variety of media channels.
Who is delivering the campaign?
The campaign is being delivered by Staffordshire County Council, it supports the Staffordshire Autism Joint Implementation Plan 2018-2023, and the Staffordshire Whole Life Disability Strategy 2018-2023. The campaign is funded through the NHS Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Integrated Care System.
What does the campaign hope to achieve?
The key objectives of the campaign are:
- To raise public awareness of Autism and learning disabilities.
- To support more organisations and community venues make positive changes.
- That Autistic people and people with learning disabilities feel more confident visiting their local communities.
- To develop ‘Safe Places’ where vulnerable adults can go if they feel overwhelmed, anxious, or unsafe in the community
How long will the campaign run for?
We will be searching for examples to use during May 2022, but the campaign will be launched on the 13 June 2022 the week before Autistic Pride Day (18/06) which is about celebrating differences and recognising positive change to broaden society. The campaign will run for 12 weeks and close on the 2 September 2022.
What are the benefits for organisations involved?
It is estimated 1 in 100 people (700,000 people in the UK) are on the Autism Spectrum, and across Staffordshire 3 in 100 people have a learning disability, by being involved your organisation will be promoted across a number of media channels to the general public and to the Autistic and learning disability communities, who may be more encouraged to visit your organisation after they are made aware of the positive changes you have made. You will be seen as a best practice example for others to follow.
What is involved in being an example?
There are three ways organisations can share the positive changes they have made and be included in the campaign:
- Being introduced in a promotional film
- Being introduced through a photo
- Being introduced through a quote
Please note: to be included in the promotional film you need to have clearly made changes that are specific to Autistic people and / or people with learning disabilities.
Organisations also need to complete a short registration form and GDPR image consent form, by being involved you will also get a campaign ‘We are Autism and learning disability aware’ window sticker to display and a certificate.
Can any organisation be involved?
Yes, we are looking for examples across all business sectors from retail, hospitality, and entertainment, to sports and tourism. Does the organisation need to operate in Staffordshire? Because the campaign is funded by the NHS we are looking for examples across Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent.
Is the campaign aimed at children or adults?
The campaign is aimed at adults but we want to increase accessibility for all, and support young people with Autism and/or learning disabilities to increase their independence and confidence in making use of their local community facilities as they get older. So please get in touch if you are an organisation providing services to families and adults.
What are safe places?
As part of the campaign we are working with the District and Borough Councils and looking for town centre or key venues who would be interested in being trained up to offer safe places of refuge for vulnerable adults who become anxious, scared, or at risk whilst they are out in their local communities and require support. We are looking into national schemes such as Safe Places.
If I want to be included as an example or find out more, what do I do?
Contact healthandcare@staffordshire.gov.uk and tell us a bit about your organisation.
Project lead: Kate Harrold
Katherine.harrold@staffordshire.gov.uk