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Services & Events

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

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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 and non-binary people who identify as autistic. 

They are safe and confidential spaces, facilitated by autistic volunteers.

There is no presentation, no set agenda and no obligation to participate. 

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 Social Meet-Up Volunteers if you have any questions - you'll find their emails under "How do I join?" 

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.

Social Meet-up: Aberdeen

Social Meet-up: Dumfries & Galloway

Social Meet-up: Dundee

Social Meet-up: Edinburgh

Social Meet-up:  Falkirk

Social Meet-up:  Fife

Social Meet-up:  Glasgow

Social Meet-up: Inverness

Social Meet-up: Stirling

Social Meet-up: West Lothian

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.

December 2023
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5th

West Lothian Meet Up

SWAN Places
5 Dec, 17:30
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7th

Fife Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
7 Dec, 17:00
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10th

Edinburgh Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
10 Dec, 14:00
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19th

Glasgow Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
19 Dec, 13:30
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19th

Stirling Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
19 Dec, 17:00
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January 2024
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4th

Fife Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
4 Jan, 17:00
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16th

Glasgow Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
16 Jan, 13:30
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16th

Stirling Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
16 Jan, 17:00
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26th

Dundee Social Meet-Up

SWAN Places
26 Jan, 14:00
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28th

Inverness Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
28 Jan, 14:00
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29th

Dumfries & Galloway Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
29 Jan, 10:30
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13th

Edinburgh Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
13 Jan, 14:00
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SWAN Spaces

SWAN Spaces are regular online groups and events. They are safe, friendly autistic-only spaces, led by autistic staff.

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, 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 to find out more:

Art & Craft Group

Autistic Parents’ Space

Edinburgh Online Group

Neuroqueer Social (LGBTQIA+ Group)

Online Peer Support Forum

Post-Diagnosis Groups

Pre-Diagnosis Drop-Ins

Wellbeing Webinars

December 2023
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4th

Post Diagnosis Group Week 6

SWAN Spaces
Online - 4 Dec, 11:30 - 13:00
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Week 6 of 6 week Post Diagnosis Course

(This group is booked as part of a 6-week course)

Book

4th

Post Diagnosis Group Week 6

SWAN Spaces
online - 4 Dec, 19:30 - 21:00
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Week 6 of 6 week Post Diagnosis Group Course for recently diagnosed autistic women and non-binary people 

(This group is booked as part of a 6-week course)

Book

5th

Pre-Diagnosis Drop In Group

SWAN Spaces
online - 5 Dec, 19:30 - 21:00
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Considering if you are Autistic and going through the diagnosis process (SELF or CLINICAL) can be a long difficult and confusing time and it can be hard to find relevant resources and information.

This monthly drop in group is a safe space to explore, ask questions and meet other women and non-binary people at a similar point in their journey.

For more information, see the full details about this group under 'SWAN Spaces' or click below to book.

Book

7th

Neuroqueer Social (LGBTQIA+ Group)

SWAN Spaces
7 Dec, 18:30 - 20:00
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For more information, see the full details about this group under 'SWAN Spaces' or click below to book. 

Book

7th

Autistic Parents' Space

SWAN Spaces
7 Dec, 19:30 - 21:00
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This is an informal social space for autistic women and non-binary people who are also parents to come together to share the highs and lows of life as an autistic parent (of either NT or ND children)

Book

17th

Edinburgh Group online

SWAN Spaces
17 Dec, 15:00
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January 2024
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23rd

Webinar - New Year Self-Care and Winter Recovery

SWAN Spaces
Online - 23 Jan, 17:30 - 19:00
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Whether the winter is full of busy festivities or quiet long dark days its important that we take time to think about ourselves!

So we thought we would start the year with a webinar all about some of things that are important to many (not all of us!) for our self care and recovery.

We will be talking about pets, stims, sensory joy, rest and recovery, safe foods and SPINs and much more!

Along with thinking about how we keep on top of some of those fundamentals of self care in a way that works for us and is meaningful to us as individuals


For more information or questions please contact info@swanscotland.org 

Booking Opens 1st December

Book

February 2024
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5th

Post Diagnosis Group Week 1

SWAN Spaces
online - 5 Feb, 13:00 - 14:30
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Week 1 of our 6 week post diagnosis course for recently diagnosed or self identified women and non-binary people

This group is booked as part of a 6-week course

For more information, see the full details about this group under 'SWAN Spaces' or click below to book.  

Book

5th

Post Diagnosis Group Week 1

SWAN Spaces
online - 5 Feb, 19:00 - 21:00
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Week 1 of 6 Week Post Diagnosis Group for recently diagnosed or self identified autistic women and non-binary people 

Please note this is a 6-week course.

For more information, see the full details about this course under 'SWAN Spaces' or click below to book.

Book

6th

Pre-Diagnosis Drop In Group

SWAN Spaces
online - 6 Feb, 19:30 - 21:00
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Considering if you are Autistic and going through the diagnosis process (SELF or CLINICAL) can be a long difficult and confusing time and it can be hard to find relevant resources and information.

This monthly drop in group is a safe space to explore, ask questions and meet other women and non-binary people at a similar point in their journey.

For more information, see the full details about this group under 'SWAN Spaces' or click below to book.

Book

12th

Post Diagnosis Group Week 2

SWAN Spaces
online - 12 Feb, 13:00 - 14:30
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Week 2 of our 6 week post diagnosis course for recently diagnosed autistic women and non-binary people

(This group is booked as part of a 6-week course)  

Book

12th

Post Diagnosis Group Week 2

SWAN Spaces
online - 12 Feb, 19:00 - 20:30
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Week 2 of our 6 week post diagnosis course for recently diagnosed or self identified autistic women and non-binary people

(This group is booked as part of a 6-week course)  

Book

18th

Post Diagnosis Group Week 3

SWAN Spaces
online - 18 Feb, 13:00 - 14:30
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Week 3 of our 6 week post diagnosis course for recently diagnosed or self identified autistic women and non-binary people

(This group is booked as part of a 6-week course)

Book

18th

Post Diagnosis Group Week 3

SWAN Spaces
online - 18 Feb, 19:00 - 20:30
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Week 3 of our 6 week post diagnosis course for recently diagnosed or self identified autistic women and non-binary people

(This group is booked as part of a 6-week course) 

Book

20th

Webinar - Exploring Monotropism With Pete Wharmby

SWAN Spaces
online - 20 Feb, 17:30 - 19:00
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Join Pete Wharmby for our monthly wellbeing webinar on 'Exploring Monotropism'

Pete will explore how monotropism shapes the lives of autistic people, using his own experience as a jumping-off point, and look into the huge benefits it can being, and also where we may need to be better understood.

Booking for this webinar will open soon

To be notified of when booking is going to be open please check back here or sign up to our mailing list

26th

Post Diagnosis Group Week 4

SWAN Spaces
online - 26 Feb, 19:00 - 20:30
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Week 4 of 6 week post diagnosis course for recently diagnosed or self identified autistic women and non-binary people

(This group is booked as part of a 6-week course)

Book

26th

Post Diagnosis Group Week 4

SWAN Spaces
online - 26 Feb, 19:00 - 20:30
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Week 4 of our 6 week post diagnosis group for recently diagnosed or self identified autistic women and non-binary people

(This group is booked as part of a 6-week course)

Book

27th

Autistic Parents' Space

SWAN Spaces
Online - 27 Feb, 19:30 - 21:00
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This is an informal social space for autistic women who are also parents to come together to share the highs and lows of life as an autistic parent (of either NT or ND children)

Book

March 2024
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4th

Post Diagnosis Group Week 5

SWAN Spaces
online - 4 Mar, 13:00 - 14:30
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Week 5 of our 6 week post diagnosis course for recently diagnosed or self identified autistic women and non-binary people

(This group is booked as part of a 6-week course) 

Book

4th

Post Diagnosis Group Week 5

SWAN Spaces
online - 4 Mar, 19:00 - 20:30
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Week 5 of our 6 week Post Diagnosis Group for recently diagnosed or self identified autistic women and non-binary people

(This group is booked as part of a 6-week course)

Book

5th

Pre-Diagnosis Drop In Group

SWAN Spaces
online - 5 Mar, 19:30 - 21:00
+

Considering if you are Autistic and going through the diagnosis process (SELF or CLINICAL) can be a long difficult and confusing time and it can be hard to find relevant resources and information.

This monthly drop in group is a safe space to explore, ask questions and meet other women and non-binary people at a similar point in their journey.

For more information, see the full details about this group under 'SWAN Spaces' or click below to book.

Book

11th

Post Diagnosis Group Week 6

SWAN Spaces
online - 11 Mar, 13:00 - 14:30
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Week 6 of our 6 week post diagnosis course for recently diagnosed or self identified autistic women and non-binary people

(This group is booked as part of a 6-week course)

Book

11th

Post Diagnosis Group Week 6

SWAN Spaces
online - 11 Mar, 19:00 - 20:30
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Week 6 of our 6 week post diagnosis course for recently diagnosed or self identified autistic women and non-binary people

(This group is booked as part of a 6-week block)

Book

21st

Webinar - Autistic Sexuality with Katie Munday (Autistic and Living the Dream)

SWAN Spaces
online - 21 Mar, 17:30 - 19:00
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Join our guest speaker Katie Munday (Autistic and Living the Dream) for our monthly wellbeing webinar on Autistic sexuality, relationships and romance (including asexual and aromantic experiences).

This sessions covers interoception, alexithymia, sensory integration, consent and boundary setting. As well as Autistic experiences of BDSM and Kink and sex work.

Booking for this webinar will open early 2024

To be notified of when booking is going to be open please sign up to our mailing list

Katie Munday is an Autistic and queer researcher, trainer and writer on all things Autistic experience with particular interest and expertise in gender and sexual diversity.

https://www.facebook.com/autis...

https://twitter.com/social_par...

https://autisticltd.co.uk/