Services & Events
Places and spaces for autistic women, girls and non-binary people
SWAN Places
SWAN Places are in-person social meet-up groups in locations across Scotland. They are autistic spaces, run by autistic volunteers.
These local groups are relaxed and laid-back gatherings for all women (both cis and trans) and non-binary people who identify as autistic.
They are safe and confidential spaces, facilitated by autistic volunteers.
SWAN Places are not structured support groups, but rather an opportunity to benefit from community and connection in an all-autistic space.
You can share, listen, or simply relax among like-minded peers who understand and support one another.
Have a look at your local group below to find out more, and see the calendar for meeting dates.
You can contact our SWAN Places Meet-Up Volunteers if you have any questions - you'll find their emails under "How do I join?"
You can also sign up to the SWAN mailing list for news and updates on all our groups.
Please read our Guidelines & Rules before you come along to any of our SWAN Places groups, to help ensure they are safe, supportive and friendly spaces.
*Please always check the calendar before you go to a group as very occasionally we may have to change or cancel with short notice (only if unavoidable) and we will post any changes here.
Aberdeen: Meet-Up
Ayr: Meet-Up
Borders: Meet-Up
Dumfries & Galloway: Meet-Up
Dundee: Meet-Up
East Lothian: Meet-Up
Edinburgh: Meet-Up
Falkirk: Meet-Up
Fife: Meet-Up
Fife: Wellbeing Walk
Glasgow: Bridgeton Meet-up
Glasgow: Book Club
Glasgow: Queen’s Park Meet-up
Glasgow: Queens Park Wellbeing Walk
Glasgow: West End Meet-up
Shetland: Meet-Up
Stirling: Meet-up
Stirling: Wellbeing Walk
Stonehaven: Meet-Up
West Lothian: Meet-Up
Oban: Wellbeing Walk
We’re working on setting up groups in other areas - if you’re interested in volunteering at an existing group, or helping set one up in your area, visit our Volunteer page.
October 2025
Borders Meet-Up
SWAN Places7 Oct, 14:00 - 15:00
Stirling Wellbeing Walk
SWAN Places7 Oct, 17:30
West Lothian Meet-Up
SWAN Places7 Oct, 17:30 - 19:00
Ayr Meet-Up
SWAN Places8 Oct, 18:00 - 19:00
Glasgow Queen's Park Meet-Up
SWAN Places8 Oct, 18:30 - 20:00
NEW DATE : Edinburgh Wellbeing Walk
SWAN Places12 Oct, 10:30
SWAN has been working with Walking Scotland to train our autistic volunteers to become Health Walk leaders and run local walking groups for autistic women and non-binary people.
The SWAN walks offer a supportive and inclusive environment for autistic women and non-binary people. Beyond improving physical wellbeing, these walks provide an opportunity for socialisation and peer support.
The walks will be around an hour long at an easy social pace and are perfect for anyone who would like to become more active in the company of other autistic people. We can't always guarantee good weather so please make sure you dress for the weather conditions on the day.
The meeting point is at The Lodge Coffee House (see picture below), beginning of the Hermitage of Braids. It’s accessible by foot, car, or bus (stop at South Morningside Primary School and walk about 5 minutes).
Buses that go there: 5, 11, 15, and 16.
SWAN groups are safer spaces for autistic women and non-binary people over-18 who live, work or study in the local area.
SWAN is inclusive of all autistic women (both cis and trans) and non-binary people, including those who are exploring whether they are autistic, who self identify as autistic or are clinically diagnosed (private or NHS).
For more information, and to book your place, please visit our Eventbrite
Edinburgh Meet-Up
SWAN Places12 Oct, 14:00 - 16:00
Glasgow West End Meet-Up
SWAN Places16 Oct, 13:30 - 15:00
Falkirk Meet-Up
SWAN Places20 Oct, 16:30 - 18:00
Glasgow Bridgeton Meet-up
SWAN Places21 Oct, 13:30 - 15:00
Stirling Meet-Up
SWAN Places21 Oct, 17:00 - 18:30
Glasgow Queen's Park Wellbeing Walk
SWAN Places23 Oct, 18:00 - 19:00
Dumfries & Galloway Meet-Up
SWAN Places27 Oct, 10:30 - 12:00
East Lothian Meet-Up
SWAN Places27 Oct, 18:00 - 19:30
Sheltand Meet-Up
SWAN Places30 Oct, 18:00 - 20:00
Dundee Meet-Up
SWAN Places31 Oct, 15:00 - 17:00
November 2025
Aberdeen Meet-Up
SWAN Places1 Nov, 11:30 - 13:00
Borders Meet-Up
SWAN Places4 Nov, 14:00 - 15:00
West Lothian Meet-Up
SWAN Places4 Nov, 17:30 - 19:00
Stonehaven Meet-Up
SWAN Places5 Nov, 19:45 - 20:45
Fife Meet-Up
SWAN Places6 Nov, 17:00 - 18:30
Edinburgh Meet-Up
SWAN Places9 Nov, 14:00 - 16:00
Ayr Meet-Up
SWAN Places12 Nov, 18:00 - 19:00
Glasgow Queen's Park Meet-Up
SWAN Places12 Nov, 18:30 - 20:00
Falkirk Meet-Up
SWAN Places17 Nov, 16:30 - 18:00
Glasgow Bridgeton Meet-Up
SWAN Places18 Nov, 13:30 - 15:00
Stirling Meet-Up
SWAN Places18 Nov, 17:00 - 18:30
Glasgow West End Meet-Up
SWAN Places20 Nov, 13:30 - 15:00
Dumfries & Galloway Meet-Up
SWAN Places24 Nov, 10:30 - 12:00
East Lothian Meet-Up
SWAN Places24 Nov, 18:00 - 19:30
Shetland Meet-Up
SWAN Places27 Nov, 18:00 - 20:00
Dundee Meet-Up
SWAN Places28 Nov, 15:00 - 17:00
SWAN Spaces
SWAN Spaces are regular online groups and events. They are safe, friendly autistic-only spaces, led by autistic staff and volunteers.
In SWAN Spaces, you are free to participate as little or as much as you feel comfortable - talk, join in the text chat, read the closed captions, stim, bring your pets along, wrap yourself in a cosy blanket, or just watch and listen with your camera on or off.
Friends and allies, families and carers, and professionals and practitioners who do not identify as autistic but want to learn more about autistic women (both cis and trans), girls and non-binary people are warmly welcomed to specific events only, where stated in the event description.
All of our online events are held on Zoom and you can book a place via Eventbrite.
Have a look at our SWAN Spaces groups below to find out more and see the calendar for meeting dates.
Post-Diagnosis Groups
Pre-Diagnosis Drop-Ins
Autistic Parents & Carers Peer Support
Highlands and Islands Peer Support
Queer Peer Support
Students Peer Support
Sunday Peer Support
Tuesday Peer Support
Crafting Social
Wellbeing Webinars
Online Peer Support Forum
Sign up to the SWAN mailing list for news and updates on all our groups.
October 2025
Crafting Social
SWAN SpacesOnline - 6 Oct, 19:00 - 20:00
Post Diagnosis Group Wednesdays 11:00-12:30pm Week 2
SWAN SpacesOnline - 8 Oct, 11:00 - 12:30
Week 2 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course
This group runs for six weeks on Wednesdays 11:00-12:30 via ZOOM
Booking will open on 10th September 4:30pm through our Eventbrite
Dates for this course are:
Wednesday October 1st 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 8th 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 15th 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 22nd 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 29th 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday November 5th 11:00-12:30pm
For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org
Queer Peer Support
SWAN SpacesOnline - 9 Oct, 18:00 - 19:00
Post Diagnosis Group Thursdays 6:30-8:00pm Week 2
SWAN SpacesOnline - 9 Oct, 18:30 - 20:00
Week 2 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course
This group runs for six weeks on Thursdays 18:30-20:00 via ZOOM
Booking will open on 10th September 4:30pm through our Eventbrite
Dates for this course are:
Thursday October 2nd 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 9th 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 16th 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 23rd 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 30th 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday November 6th 6:30-8:00pm
For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org
Tuesday Peer Support
SWAN SpacesOnline - 14 Oct, 18:00
Post Diagnosis Group Wednesdays 11:00-12:30pm Week 3
SWAN SpacesOnline - 15 Oct, 11:00 - 12:30
Week 3 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course
This group runs for six weeks on Wednesdays 11:00-12:30 via ZOOM
Booking will open on 10th September 4:30pm through our Eventbrite
Dates for this course are:
Wednesday October 1st 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 8th 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 15th 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 22nd 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 29th 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday November 5th 11:00-12:30pm
For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org
Post Diagnosis Group Thursdays 6:30-8:00pm Week 3
SWAN SpacesOnline - 16 Oct, 18:30 - 20:00
Week 3 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course
This group runs for six weeks on Thursdays 18:30-20:00 via ZOOM
Booking will open on 10th September 4:30pm through our Eventbrite
Dates for this course are:
Thursday October 2nd 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 9th 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 16th 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 23rd 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 30th 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday November 6th 6:30-8:00pm
For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org
Autistic Parents & Carers Peer Support
SWAN SpacesOnline - 16 Oct, 19:00 - 20:30
Sunday Peer Support Oct
SWAN SpacesOnline - 19 Oct, 15:00 - 16:00
Post Diagnosis Group Wednesdays 11:00-12:30pm Week 4
SWAN SpacesOnline - 22 Oct, 11:00 - 12:30
Week 4 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course
This group runs for six weeks on Wednesdays 11:00-12:30 via ZOOM
Booking will open on 10th September 4:30pm through our Eventbrite
Dates for this course are:
Wednesday October 1st 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 8th 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 15th 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 22nd 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 29th 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday November 5th 11:00-12:30pm
For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org
Webinar - An Autistic Perspective on Anxiety, OCD and Wellbeing With Dean Beadle
SWAN SpacesOnline - 22 Oct, 18:30 - 20:00
Join Dean Beadle for a personal insight into anxiety and OCD, and an exploration of the cornerstones of autistic wellbeing.
About this Webinar
In this webinar, Dean will give a very personal insight into anxiety and OCD and reflect on what has worked for him in terms of living an authentic life around it. He will then go on to look at what he considers to be the cornerstones of autistic wellbeing.
More About Our Speaker: Dean Beadle
Dean Beadle has spent the last twenty years working as a speaker and trainer, sharing his experiences of being autistic. Known for his humorous and thought-provoking speaking style, he is passionate about creating a world that is more accessible and inclusive for autistic people. Dean has delivered inset training at schools across the UK, presented keynotes at conferences in Ireland, Germany, Belgium and Denmark and completed four seminar tours of Australia and New Zealand. He is a patron of three autism related charities
Instagram: @deanbeadlespeaker
Facebook: Dean Beadle Speaker
TikTok: dean.beadle
Post Diagnosis Group Thursdays 6:30-8:00pm Week 4
SWAN SpacesOnline - 23 Oct, 18:30 - 20:00
Week 4 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course
This group runs for six weeks on Thursdays 18:30-20:00 via ZOOM
Booking will open on 10th September 4:30pm through our Eventbrite
Dates for this course are:
Thursday October 2nd 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 9th 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 16th 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 23rd 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 30th 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday November 6th 6:30-8:00pm
For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org
Highlands and Islands Peer Support
SWAN SpacesOnline - 27 Oct, 18:00 - 19:00
Students Peer Support
SWAN SpacesOnline - 27 Oct, 18:00
Post Diagnosis Group Wednesdays 11:00-12:30pm Week 5
SWAN SpacesOnline - 29 Oct, 11:00 - 12:30
Week 5 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course
This group runs for six weeks on Wednesdays 11:00-12:30 via ZOOM
Booking will open on 10th September 4:30pm through our Eventbrite
Dates for this course are:
Wednesday October 1st 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 8th 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 15th 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 22nd 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 29th 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday November 5th 11:00-12:30pm
For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org
Post Diagnosis Group Thursdays 6:30-8:00pm Week 5
SWAN SpacesOnline - 30 Oct, 18:30 - 20:00
Week 5 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course
This group runs for six weeks on Thursdays 18:30-20:00 via ZOOM
Booking will open on 10th September 4:30pm through our Eventbrite
Dates for this course are:
Thursday October 2nd 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 9th 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 16th 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 23rd 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 30th 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday November 6th 6:30-8:00pm
For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org
November 2025
Crafting Social
SWAN SpacesOnline - 3 Nov, 19:00 - 20:00
Post Diagnosis Group Wednesdays 11:00-12:30pm Week 6
SWAN SpacesOnline - 5 Nov, 11:00 - 12:30
Week 6 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course
This group runs for six weeks on Wednesdays 11:00-12:30 via ZOOM
Booking will open on 10th September 4:30pm through our Eventbrite
Dates for this course are:
Wednesday October 1st 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 8th 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 15th 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 22nd 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday October 29th 11:00-12:30pm
Wednesday November 5th 11:00-12:30pm
For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org
Post Diagnosis Group Thursdays 6:30-8:00pm Week 6
SWAN SpacesOnline - 6 Nov, 18:30 - 20:00
Week 6 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course
This group runs for six weeks on Thursdays 18:30-20:00 via ZOOM
Booking will open on 10th September 4:30pm through our Eventbrite
Dates for this course are:
Thursday October 2nd 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 9th 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 16th 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 23rd 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday October 30th 6:30-8:00pm
Thursday November 6th 6:30-8:00pm
For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org
Tuesday Peer Support
SWAN SpacesOnline - 11 Nov, 18:00 - 19:00
Queer Peer Support
SWAN SpacesOnline - 13 Nov, 18:00 - 19:00
Sunday Peer Support
SWAN SpacesOnline - 16 Nov, 15:00 - 16:00
Webinar - Creative Grief Practices With Yarrow Magdalena
SWAN SpacesOnline - 20 Nov, 18:00 - 19:30
Join Yarrow Magdalena to explore simple, creative projects and rituals to support engaging with grief in a meaningful way.
Booking opens Monday 13th October.
About this Webinar
Come to learn about simple, creative projects and little rituals that will help you engage with your grief in a meaningful way. Yarrow will share a presentation with ideas you can try at home, we will do some journaling together and there will be time for discussion and questions. Sharing is optional!
More About Our Speaker: Yarrow Magdalena
Yarrow is a maker and grief companion living on the East coast of Scotland. They host the Grief Glimmers podcast and support people in finding creative and meaningful ways to engage with grief through crafting, writing & everyday rituals.
Home - Glimmer Portal
Autistic Parents & Carers Peer Support
SWAN SpacesOnline - 20 Nov, 19:00 - 20:30
Highlands and Islands Peer Support
SWAN SpacesOnline - 24 Nov, 18:00 - 19:00
Students Peer Support
SWAN SpacesOnline - 24 Nov, 18:00 - 19:00