Quick exit this site

Services & Events

Places and spaces for autistic women, girls and non-binary people

Services & Events header graphic
Movement is
+

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

Dundee: Wellbeing Walk

Dunfermline: Wellbeing Walk

East Lothian: Meet-Up

Edinburgh: Meet-Up

Edinburgh: Royal Botanic Gardens Wellbeing Walk

Edinburgh: Water of Leith Wellbeing Walk

Falkirk: Meet-Up

Fife: Meet-Up

Fife: Wellbeing Walk

Girvan: Wellbeing Walk

Glasgow: Book Club

Glasgow: Bridgeton Meet-up

Glasgow: Queen’s Park Meet-up

Glasgow: Queen’s Park Wellbeing Walk

Glasgow: West End Meet-up

Linlithgow: Wellbeing Walk

Musselburgh: Wellbeing Walk

Oban and Lorn: Wellbeing Walk

Shetland: Meet-Up

Stirling: Meet-Up

Stirling: Wellbeing Walk

West Lothian: Meet-Up

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.

May 2026
+

13th

Ayr Meet-Up

SWAN Places
13 May, 18:00 - 19:00
+
13th

Glasgow Queen's Park Meet-Up

SWAN Places
13 May, 18:30 - 20:00
+
15th

Dunfermline Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
15 May, 11:00 - 12:00
+
16th

Glasgow Queen's Park Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
16 May, 10:30 - 11:30
+
18th

Falkirk Meet-Up

SWAN Places
18 May, 16:30 - 18:00
+
19th

Glasgow Bridgeton Meet-Up

SWAN Places
19 May, 13:30 - 15:00
+
19th

Stirling Meet-Up

SWAN Places
19 May, 17:00 - 18:30
+
21st

Glasgow West End Meet-Up

SWAN Places
21 May, 13:30 - 15:00
+
22nd

Dundee Wellbeing Walk Stobsmuir Ponds

SWAN Places
22 May, 10:00 - 11:00
+
24th

Musselburgh Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
24 May, 14:00 - 15:00
+
25th

Dumfries & Galloway Meet-Up

SWAN Places
25 May, 10:30 - 12:00
+
28th

Shetland Meet-Up

SWAN Places
28 May, 18:00 - 20:00
+
28th

Glasgow Queen's Park Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
28 May, 18:00 - 19:00
+
29th

Dundee Meet-Up

SWAN Places
29 May, 15:00 - 17:00
+
30th

Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
30 May, 12:00 - 13:00
+
31st

Girvan Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
31 May, 11:00 - 12:00
+
31st

Linlithgow Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
31 May, 11:30 - 12:30
+

June 2026
+

2nd

West Lothian Meet-Up

SWAN Places
2 Jun, 17:30 - 19:00
+
2nd

Stirling Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
2 Jun, 17:30 - 18:30
+
4th

Fife Meet-Up

SWAN Places
4 Jun, 17:00 - 18:30
+
6th

Dundee Wellbeing Walk Dudhope Park

SWAN Places
6 Jun, 10:00 - 11:00
+
6th

Oban and Lorn Wellbeing Walk Port Appin

SWAN Places
6 Jun, 11:00 - 12:00
+
10th

Ayr Meet-Up

SWAN Places
10 Jun, 18:00 - 19:00
+
10th

Glasgow Queen's Park Meet-Up

SWAN Places
10 Jun, 18:30 - 20:00
+
13th

Edinburgh Water of Leith Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
13 Jun, 10:00 - 11:00
+
14th

Edinburgh Meet-Up

SWAN Places
14 Jun, 14:00 - 16:00
+
15th

Falkirk Meet-Up

SWAN Places
15 Jun, 16:30 - 18:00
+
16th

Glasgow Bridgeton Meet-Up

SWAN Places
16 Jun, 13:30 - 15:00
+
16th

Stirling Meet-Up

SWAN Places
16 Jun, 17:00 - 18:30
+
18th

Glasgow West End Meet-Up

SWAN Places
18 Jun, 13:30 - 15:00
+
19th

Dunfermline Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
19 Jun, 11:00 - 12:00
+
20th

Glasgow Queen's Park Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
20 Jun, 10:30 - 11:30
+
25th

Shetland Meet-Up

SWAN Places
25 Jun, 18:00 - 20:00
+
25th

Glasgow Queen's Park Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
25 Jun, 18:00 - 19:00
+
26th

Dundee Meet-Up

SWAN Places
26 Jun, 15:00 - 17:00
+
27th

Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
27 Jun, 12:00 - 13:00
+
28th

Girvan Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
28 Jun, 11:00 - 12:00
+
28th

Linlithgow Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
28 Jun, 11:30 - 12:30
+
28th

Musselburgh Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
28 Jun, 14:00 - 15:00
+
29th

Dumfries & Galloway Meet-Up

SWAN Places
29 Jun, 10:30 - 12:00
+

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.


Autistic Identity (Previously Post Diagnosis Group)

Autistic Discovery (Previously Pre-Diagnosis Group)

Autistic Parents & Carers Peer Support

Highlands and Islands Peer Support

Queer Peer Support

Students Peer Support

Sunday Peer Support

Tuesday Peer Support

Body Doubling

Crafting Social

Wellbeing Webinars

Online Peer Support Forum

Sign up to the SWAN mailing list for news and updates on all our groups.

May 2026
+

14th

Autistic Identity Group: Thursdays Week 4

SWAN Spaces
Online - 14 May, 13:30 - 15:00
+

Week 4 of our Autistic Identity Group (previously Post-Diagnosis Group)

This group runs for six weeks on Tuesdays 6pm - 7.30pm via ZOOM.

Book your place through our Eventbrite. Booking will open 4.30pm on Mon 16th March 2026.

Dates for this course are:

Thurs 23rd April, 1.30pm - 3pm

Thurs 30th April, 1.30pm - 3pm

Thurs 7th May, 1.30pm - 3pm

Thurs 14th May, 1.30pm - 3pm

Thurs 21st May, 1.30pm - 3pm

Thurs 28th May, 1.30pm - 3pm

For more information on our Autistic Identity group please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org

14th

Queer Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 14 May, 18:00 - 19:00
+
17th

Sunday Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 17 May, 15:00 - 16:00
+
19th

Autistic Identity Group: Tuesdays Week 4

SWAN Spaces
Online - 19 May, 18:00 - 19:30
+

Week 4 of our Autistic Identity Group (previously Post-Diagnosis Group)

This group runs for six weeks on Tuesdays 6pm - 7.30pm via ZOOM.

Book your place through our Eventbrite. Booking will open 4.30pm on Mon 16th March 2026.

Dates for this course are:

Tues 21st April, 6pm - 7.30pm

Tues 28th April, 6pm - 7.30pm

Tues 5th May, 6pm - 7.30pm

Tues 12th May, break - no group meeting

Tues 19th May, 6pm - 7.30pm

Tues 26th May, 6pm - 7.30pm

Tues 2nd June, 6pm - 7.30pm

For more information on our Autistic Identity group please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org

20th

Webinar - Attention, Focus and Transitions with Dr Wenn Lawson

SWAN Spaces
Online - 20 May, 18:00 - 19:30
+

Booking opens Monday 13th April, 4.30pm.

About this Webinar

In this webinar we aim to cover the following phenomena:

  • Why difficulty with transitions—shifting attention, moving between tasks, or changing environments is difficult in Autism.
  • What the reasons are, why this is innate and what can help move someone forward, when they appear stuck.
  • How such difficulties are core to the Autistic experience but rather than being a behavioural ‘deficit' - this challenge is rooted in specific cognitive and sensory processing differences, particularly Monotropism and Autistic Inertia.

More About Our Speaker: Dr Wenn Lawson

Dr. Wenn, auDHD, dyslexic and dyspraxic, is passionate about autism, mental health, family, and building autism understanding across the generations, professions and the world. He is a British Psychologist, a qualified Social Worker, a well-known autistic researcher, author, speaker and poet.

Wenn’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD8L-Ht_jSQxBmWe6MzZvJA

Wenn’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/wenn.lawson.399/

Wenn’s home page: www.wennlawson.com

Book

21st

Autistic Identity Group: Thursdays Week 5

SWAN Spaces
Online - 21 May, 13:30 - 15:00
+

Week 5 of our Autistic Identity Group (previously Post-Diagnosis Group)

This group runs for six weeks on Tuesdays 6pm - 7.30pm via ZOOM.

Book your place through our Eventbrite. Booking will open 4.30pm on Mon 16th March 2026.

Dates for this course are:

Thurs 23rd April, 1.30pm - 3pm

Thurs 30th April, 1.30pm - 3pm

Thurs 7th May, 1.30pm - 3pm

Thurs 14th May, 1.30pm - 3pm

Thurs 21st May, 1.30pm - 3pm

Thurs 28th May, 1.30pm - 3pm

For more information on our Autistic Identity group please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org

21st

Autistic Parents & Carers Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 21 May, 19:00 - 20:30
+
25th

Highlands and Islands Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 25 May, 18:00 - 19:00
+
26th

Autistic Identity Group: Tuesdays Week 5

SWAN Spaces
Online - 26 May, 18:00 - 19:30
+

Week 5 of our Autistic Identity Group (previously Post-Diagnosis Group)

This group runs for six weeks on Tuesdays 6pm - 7.30pm via ZOOM.

Book your place through our Eventbrite. Booking will open 4.30pm on Mon 16th March 2026.

Dates for this course are:

Tues 21st April, 6pm - 7.30pm

Tues 28th April, 6pm - 7.30pm

Tues 5th May, 6pm - 7.30pm

Tues 12th May, break - no group meeting

Tues 19th May, 6pm - 7.30pm

Tues 26th May, 6pm - 7.30pm

Tues 2nd June, 6pm - 7.30pm

For more information on our Autistic Identity group please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org

28th

Autistic Identity Group: Thursdays Week 6

SWAN Spaces
Online - 28 May, 13:30 - 15:00
+

Week 6 of our Autistic Identity Group (previously Post-Diagnosis Group)

This group runs for six weeks on Tuesdays 6pm - 7.30pm via ZOOM.

Book your place through our Eventbrite. Booking will open 4.30pm on Mon 16th March 2026.

Dates for this course are:

Thurs 23rd April, 1.30pm - 3pm

Thurs 30th April, 1.30pm - 3pm

Thurs 7th May, 1.30pm - 3pm

Thurs 14th May, 1.30pm - 3pm

Thurs 21st May, 1.30pm - 3pm

Thurs 28th May, 1.30pm - 3pm

For more information on our Autistic Identity group please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org

June 2026
+

1st

Crafting Social

SWAN Spaces
Online - 1 Jun, 19:00 - 20:00
+
2nd

Autistic Identity Group: Tuesdays Week 6

SWAN Spaces
Online - 2 Jun, 18:00 - 19:30
+

Week 6 of our Autistic Identity Group (previously Post-Diagnosis Group)

This group runs for six weeks on Tuesdays 6pm - 7.30pm via ZOOM.

Book your place through our Eventbrite. Booking will open 4.30pm on Mon 16th March 2026.

Dates for this course are:

Tues 21st April, 6pm - 7.30pm

Tues 28th April, 6pm - 7.30pm

Tues 5th May, 6pm - 7.30pm

Tues 12th May, break - no group

Tues 19th May, 6pm - 7.30pm

Tues 26th May, 6pm - 7.30pm

Tues 2nd June, 6pm - 7.30pm

For more information on our Autistic Identity group please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org

9th

Autistic Discovery Group

SWAN Spaces
Online - 9 Jun, 18:00 - 19:30
+
9th

Tuesday Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 9 Jun, 18:00 - 19:00
+
11th

Queer Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 11 Jun, 18:00 - 19:00
+
11th

Webinar - Improving Healthcare Access for LGBQTQIA+ Autistic People with Katie Munday

SWAN Spaces
Online - 11 Jun, 19:00 - 20:30
+

About this Webinar

In this webinar Katie will discuss the experiences of LGBTQIA+ Autistic individuals in healthcare, drawing from both their research and personal experiences. They'll offer practical suggestions on what actions can be taken (both individually and collectively), for ourselves, our peers, or in the role of allies.

More About Our Speaker: Katie Munday

Katie Munday is an ESRC-funded PhD candidate exploring Trans and Gender Diverse Autistic Adults' Experiences of Health and Social Care in the UK. They are a co-founder of the Autistic Substance Use Network and have collaborated with healthcare professionals, community organisations and the NHS to create resources and training that promote more inclusive practice. Their research spans Disabled people’s experiences of cancer services, Autistic adults’ experiences of substance use, and the intersections of gender diversity, neurodivergence, and healthcare. Katie has over a decade of experience supporting marginalised young people and adults through community work, mentoring, and inclusive sports. They also write creatively and academically for queer and neurodivergent platforms, contributing to wider conversations on intersectionality and social justice.

Katie's Website: https://autisticltd.co.uk/

Book

18th

Autistic Parents & Carers Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 18 Jun, 19:00 - 20:30
+
21st

Sunday Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 21 Jun, 15:00 - 16:00
+
29th

Highlands and Islands Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 29 Jun, 18:00 - 19:00
+