Autism charity A-ND North Scotland announces merger to create ‘powerful partnership’ to enhance support services across Highlands
A charity providing autism support to children, young people, adults and their families across the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire has announced plans for a ground-breaking merger designed to “unlock the potential” of its support services.
Autism & Neurodiversity North Scotland (A-ND), along with leading autism charity Scottish Autism, have today announced that they are to join forces in a landmark merger to expand and strengthen support for autistic and neurodivergent people, their families and communities across the country.
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This merger represents the bringing together of two organisations with deep roots, strong expertise and a shared commitment to ensuring that individuals and families receive the right support where they live and when they need it most.
Together, Scottish Autism and A-ND will deliver tailored services across Scotland, combining the national reach and expertise of Scottish Autism with A-ND’s innovation and leadership in neurodiversity, children and young people’s services, and whole-family support.
“By sharing their best practice and strengths, the charities aim not only to sustain critical services but also to challenge dated models of care and support.
“This partnership will ensure that services are designed with the people they support, rooted in local communities and responsive to the unique needs of individuals and families.
Commenting on the merger, Dorry McLaughlin, chief executive of Scottish Autism, said "We have had a long-standing relationship with A-ND North Scotland and following discussions at senior level we each felt that a merger was the logical step for our charities to take was to merge.
“Having previously delivered services in this part of Scotland we are looking forward to being present in the region and helping to deliver support to autistic people and their families.”
Billy Alexander, chief executive of A-ND North Scotland, added "This merger not only secures the sustainability of our services in the north of Scotland, but it also unlocks the potential to expand our shared vision nationally.
“By combining Scottish Autism’s national leadership with our own expertise in neurodiversity, whole-family support, and children and young people’s services, we are creating a powerful partnership that is both innovative and forward-thinking.
“Our services have been shaped in line with The Promise Scotland and the Whole Family Approach, and this partnership strengthens our ability to provide creative, flexible solutions that respond to the real challenges families face.
“Most importantly, it ensures children, young people and adults can access support tailored to them, in their communities, when they need it."
This merger also supports the Scottish Government’s ongoing focus on whole-family and community care, ensuring that support is delivered as close to home as possible and helping families and communities remain connected.
By fostering creativity and innovation in service design, Scottish Autism and A-ND aim to transform the future of support for autistic and neurodivergent people across Scotland.
A-ND currently employs a dedicated team of over 60 staff members who deliver direct, ongoing support to 224 individuals and their families across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and the Highlands, supporting people from the age of four to 99.
When including participants in online support groups, the number of individuals supported rises to well over 900. Since its founding in 1987 as the Grampian Autistic Society, A-ND has grown significantly.
Now a registered charity, A-ND provides vital support to those who have neurological differences such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia, providing direct support, tools, and knowledge to individuals, their families and their wider support networks.