AMASE Newsletter, February 2026
Feb 06, 2026 4:54 pm
Dear AMASE members,
Welcome to the AMASE February newsletter, in what is currently a particularly wintery weather spell. This month we are again running a mix of one-off and recurring events. We have also included other events and information that we think will be of interest.
Thank you to all our members who responded to our survey about experiences of neurodivergence in Scotland. You will see in item 11 below that this proved to be very useful for evidence that we gave to the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee hearing in January.
Finally, just to say that this and our previous newsletters, from when we started to use Send Fox email, can now be viewed in a browser here: https://sendfox.com/amase/feed
Best wishes,
Fiona, Leo, Gideon, Fergus, Elly, Pete and Luis.
- Next AMASE body doubling session, 2026-02-18, 7-8:30pm
- Introduction to AMASE Discord, 2026-02-25, 7-8pm
- Weird Pride Lightning Talks, 2026-03-04, 8-9pm
- Neuro-affirming spaces research in person session (AMASE members only), 2026-03-07, 1:30-4:30pm
- Regular AMASE Bouldering Trips – Alien Bloc
- Dr Leon Brenner’s talk on conceptions of autism and ethics of listening, 2026-02-16, 6-8pm
- Number 6 Autism One Stop Shop February Calendar
- EUCAP’s ACTIVATE project Advocacy Academy free online sessions for young autistic people
- Inclusion Scotland’s Disabled People’s Question Time Hustings, 2026-25-03,6-8pm
- National Autistic Taskforce (NAT) Founders Award, closing 28 February
- Latest on the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice (EHRCJ) Committee’s inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland
- Health, Social Care and Sports (HSCS) Committee “ADHD and Autism Pathways and Support” report published
AMASE events:
1. Next AMASE body doubling session, 2026-02-18, 7-8:30pm
Our body doubling sessions have been working well for those who have attended and the next one is on Wednesday 18th February, from 7-8pm online on Zoom, for AMASE members. If you are not familiar with the concept, body doubling is where a person works in the physical or virtual presence of one or more other people, to help with task initiation and focus. People can work on different tasks, for example to write an email, tidy a room or cook a meal.
You can see information on how the session will run, and sign up if you would like to attend here: https://luma.com/emrnvcic
2. Introduction to AMASE Discord, 2026-02-25, 7-8pm
Discord is AMASE’s on-line platform for its members to connect, interact and share information. It is a space that is active and growing. We decided to hold sessions to introduce members to Discord, and give a tour as we are aware that not everyone is familiar with the server.
Our Moderators are holding the next welcome to discord season on 25th February 7-8pm. As well as having a tour and explanation of the server, there will be a chance to ask questions. This is for AMASE members only. You can register to attend by following this link: https://luma.com/feqtga3u
3. Weird Pride Lightning Talks, 2026-03-04, 8-9pm
The 4th of March this year will be the sixth Weird Pride Day, the first to have a specific theme: Weird Pride in a Hostile World. We are co-hosting a round of Weirdness-related Lightning Talks with Stimpunks, a fellow neurodivergent-run organisation with a mutual aid ethic. Get a free ticket on Luma and sign up here if you'd like to give a talk.
Keep an eye on the Weird Pride Day site to find out about other events happening on the day, besides the standing invitation for anyone to post anywhere about their thoughts and experiences!
4. Neuro-affirming spaces research in person session (AMASE members only), 2026-03-07, 1:30-4:30pm
We are hosting an in-person workshop and looking for participants for a research project run by three neurodivergent researchers and friends of AMASE: Helen Kara, George Watts and Kate Fox. Their project is exploring what a truly neurodiversity-affirming space (NDAS) looks like. The researchers will use flexible and creative approaches, such as collage and poetry and participants just need to bring their own perspectives.
The workshop will be held at The Melting Pot, 15 Calton Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8DL on Saturday 7 March from 1.30-4.30 pm.
To see further information about this workshop and to register to be a participant, please sign up on the Luma event here: https://luma.com/slkqaqme
Participants will be able to choose a £50 voucher as a thank you.
5. Regular AMASE Bouldering Trips – Alien Bloc
The next fortnightly bouldering sessions at Alien Bloc, in Canonmills, will be on Saturday 7th of February and Saturday the 21st of February. All levels are welcome - no experience required. Entry is £13 (plus £3.50 shoe hire if needed). If you're thinking of coming do let us know by signing up on Luma, link here (for the 7th): https://luma.com/k5bd09mv and here (for the 21st): https://luma.com/i3iccx5j
Other events:
6. Dr Leon Brenner’s talk on conceptions of autism and ethics of listening, 2026-02-16, 6-8pm
On 16th February, 6-8pm Edinburgh Napier University will be hosting an in person talk by Dr Leon Brenner, author of The Autistic Subject. The talk will focus on conceptions of autism and the ethics of listening with autistic identifying people. The event is free and open to all, but people do need to register. To do this and for more information go to https://lacaninscotland.com/?p=2181.
7. Number 6 Autism One Stop Shop February calendar
The Number 6 February calendar listing groups and activities they will be running this month can be seen here:
https://autisminitiatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/February-Calendar-2026.pdf
8. EUCAP’s ACTIVATE project Advocacy Academy free online sessions for young autistic people
EUCAP (The European Council of Autistic People) together with various European partner organisations recently launched the ACTIVATE Autistic Advocacy Academy for autistic young people (aged 16-29) to develop self-advocacy skills and become part of a growing autistic advocacy community across Europe. Further information can be found here: https://neuroadvocacy.eu/
As part of this they are offering free online sessions on 21st and 28th February and 7th March. You can register interest by submitting this form: https://forms.office.com/e/t9a89fSUER
ACTIVATE are also inviting autistic people of all ages to share their autism experiences, different perspectives, challenges and joys to influence how the world understands autism. Details about how to contribute are here: https://neuroadvocacy.eu/my-autism-journey/
9. Inclusion Scotland’s Disabled People’s Question Time Hustings, 2026-25-03,6-8pm
AMASE has been invited by Inclusion Scotland to take part in their hybrid Disabled People’s Question Time Hustings 2026. This event aims to promote meaningful dialogue between disabled voters and 2026 parliamentary candidates from Scotland’s five main political parties seeking to represent them in the Scottish Parliament. In person tickets sold out quickly, but online tickets and further information are available on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/disabled-peoples-question-time-hustings-2026-tickets-1979987240135
Other:
10. National Autistic Taskforce (NAT) Founder’s Award, closing 28 February
The NAT Founder’s Award is to commemorate the life of the late Dr Dinah Murray, autistic community member, independent researcher and mother of Fergus, to continue her working supporting autistic people to live the best lives we can.
Applications for the NAT Founder's Award close on 28th February. The award will offer one off financial grants to autistic people based in the UK to support them to pursue work that would be in line with Dinah’s previous work and wishes. For more information see https://nationalautistictaskforce.org.uk/nat-founders-award/ and/or watch Fergus's talk, with Jo Minchin, at online Autscape this weekend. Gideon from the committee, and Michelle who was with us for a while, are also due to give talks!
11. Latest on the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice (EHRCJ) Committee’s inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland
On 20 January Leo Starrs-Cunningham representing AMASE, along with various other Autistic Disabled People’s and other organisations attended the Scottish Parliament’s EHRCJ Committee meeting to give evidence about neurodivergent people’s experiences in Scotland. This is part of the Committee’s wider inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland. You can access a recording of the meeting here from 10:48:40am https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/equalities-human-rights-and-civil-justice-committee-january-20-2026.
Thank you to everyone who completed our survey about their experiences in the last newsletter - it was extremely helpful, and informed Leo’s input at the meeting. We had a very short time to turn things around and there was only limited time at the Committee meeting to share experiences. Our sister organisations, ARGH & SEMA also shared the survey with their members. We are in the process of amalgamating and more fully analysing the survey responses to share with the EHRCJ Committee, and will also share the responses with our members. We hope to do more such surveys of our members in the future.
12. Health, Social Care and Sports (HSCS) Committee “ADHD and Autism Pathways and Support” report published
Neurodivergence is receiving considerable attention in Scotland at the moment. On 30 January, the Scottish Parliament’s HSCS Committee published its report into ADHD and autism pathways and support. This report sets out numerous recommendations for the Scottish Government to address common issues such as referral gate-keeping, outdated diagnostic criteria and understanding of neurodivergence and waiting times. These recommendations are welcomed.
The report can be read here:
Previous AMASE newsletters can be viewed here: https://sendfox.com/amase/feed
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AMASE is a volunteer run organisation and currently receives no funding. If you feel financially able to do so, you can donate to AMASE via PayPal Donate. Thank you to the supporter who is raising funds for AMASE with Kiltwalk and for the donations we have received to date.