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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 (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.


Book Club: Glasgow

Social Meet-up: Aberdeen

Social Meet-up: Ayr

Social Meet-up: Borders

Social Meet-up: Dumfries & Galloway

Social Meet-up: Dundee

Social Meet-up: East Lothian

Social Meet-up: Edinburgh

Social Meet-up:  Falkirk

Social Meet-up:  Fife

Social Meet-up:  Glasgow Bridgeton

Social Meet-up: Glasgow Queen’s Park

Social Meet-up: Glasgow West End

Social Meet-up: Shetland

Social Meet-up: Stirling

Social Meet-up: Stonehaven

Social Meet-up: West Lothian

Social Health Walk: Aberdeen

Social Health walk: Fife

Social Health Walk: Glasgow Queens Park

Social Health Walk: Stirling

Social Health Walk: Oban

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.

August 2025
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10th

Edinburgh Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
10 Aug, 14:00
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13th

Ayr Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
13 Aug, 18:00 - 19:00
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13th

Glasgow Queen's Park Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
13 Aug, 18:30 - 20:30
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14th

Book Club: Glasgow

SWAN Places
14 Aug, 18:00 - 19:00
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16th

West Lothian Summer Activity

SWAN Places
16 Aug, 10:00 - 12:00
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18th

Falkirk Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
18 Aug, 16:30 - 18:00
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19th

Shetland Social Group Fundraiser

SWAN Places
19 Aug, 13:00 - 15:00
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This fundraiser is hosted by the volunteers and members of our local SWAN Shetland group. It's a donation based event, and you're welcome to just turn up and pay what you want for a selection of clothes, books and accessories.

It's going to be held at Staney Hill Hall, Ladies Dr, Shetland ZE1 0NA

You're also welcome to buy a ticket, to let us know you're attending, and to support us: book via Eventbrite

Our volunteers will be attending the event, and will be wearing SWAN lanyards. If you have any questions, or are interested in joining a group, please ask them.

If you can't make it, but would like to donate, you can donate to SWAN's JustGiving page.

If you have any questions about this event please email: shetland@swanscotland.org

19th

Glasgow Bridgeton Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
19 Aug, 13:30 - 15:00
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19th

Stirling Social Meet Up

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

Glasgow West End Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
21 Aug, 13:30 - 15:00
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25th

Dumfries & Galloway Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
25 Aug, 10:30 - 12:00
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25th

East Lothian Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
25 Aug, 18:00 - 19:30
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26th

Borders Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
26 Aug, 14:00 - 15:00
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28th

Fife Social Health Walk

SWAN Places
28 Aug, 13:00
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28th

Sheltand Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
28 Aug, 18:00 - 20:00
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29th

Dundee Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
29 Aug, 15:00 - 17:00
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September 2025
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2nd

West Lothian Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
2 Sep, 17:30 - 19:00
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2nd

Stirling Health Walk

SWAN Places
2 Sep, 17:30 - 18:30
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3rd

Stonehaven Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
3 Sep, 19:45
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4th

Fife Social Meet Up

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

Aberdeen Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
6 Sep, 11:30 - 13:00
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10th

Ayr Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
10 Sep, 18:00 - 19:00
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10th

Glasgow Queen's Park Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
10 Sep, 18:30 - 20:30
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11th

Book Club: Glasgow

SWAN Places
11 Sep, 18:00 - 19:00
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15th

Falkirk Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
15 Sep, 16:30 - 18:00
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16th

Glasgow Bridgeton Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
16 Sep, 13:30 - 15:00
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16th

Stirling Social Meet Up Group

SWAN Places
16 Sep, 17:00 - 18:30
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18th

Glasgow West End Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
18 Sep, 13:30 - 15:00
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25th

Sheltands Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
25 Sep, 18:00 - 20:00
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26th

Dundee Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
26 Sep, 15:00 - 17:00
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29th

Dumfries & Galloway Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
29 Sep, 10:30 - 12:00
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29th

East Lothian Social Meet Up

SWAN Places
29 Sep, 18:00
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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 (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

Online Peer Support Forum

Wellbeing Webinars

Online Social Meet-up: Autistic Parents’ Space

Online Social Meet-up: Students

Online Social Meet-up: SWAN Queer Social

Online Social Meet-up

Online Social Meet-up: Islands and Highlands

Online Social Meet-up: Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire

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

August 2025
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8th

Post Diagnosis Group Fridays 12:00-1:30pm Week 4

SWAN Spaces
Online - 8 Aug, 12:00 - 13:30
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Week 4 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course

This group runs for six weeks on Fridays 12:00-13:30pm via ZOOM

Booking will open on 23rd June 4:30pm through our Eventbrite

Dates for this course are:

Friday July 18th 12:00-13:30pm

Friday July 18th 12:00-13:30pm

Friday July 25th 12:00-13:30pm

Friday August 1st 12:00-13:30pm

Friday August 8th 12:00-13:30pm

Friday August 15th 12:00-13:30pm

Friday August 22nd 12:00-13:30pm

For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org

11th

Virtual Body Doubling Session

SWAN Spaces
Online - 11 Aug, 18:00 - 19:30
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Do you want to respond to the Scottish Parliament’s Call for Evidence on Autism & ADHD Pathways? Want some support and encouragement to share your experiences before the deadline of 18/08?

Join us for a virtual body doubling session!

You can join us on social media on our Instagram (@swanscotland) or on our Facebook group: SWAN conversations. You can also take part off of social media by reading this document

If you'd like to join SWAN conversations please see below: 

To join: search ‘Swan Conversations’ in the Facebook search box to find the group and click ‘Join Group’.

You will be asked a few membership questions before you join - this is to ensure we keep this closed group a safe space for autistic women and non-binary people in Scotland.

Your request to join will then be sent to us for approval. Please note: if you do not complete the joining questions, we will be unable to approve your request to join the group so please remember to respond. We suggest joining the group a few days before the 11th of August so we have time to process your request.

12th

Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire Online Social Meet Up

SWAN Spaces
Online - 12 Aug, 18:00 - 19:00
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12th

Webinar - A World of Stories With Lindsey Gibb

SWAN Spaces
online - 12 Aug, 18:30 - 20:00
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We are delighted to welcome Lindsey Gibb for our monthly wellbeing webinar on A World of Stories

Booking will open 16th July 4:30pm

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e...


About this Webinar:
 

What is traditional storytelling? How does it fit in a digital dominated world? Join Performance storyteller Lindsey Gibb as she discusses why she loves stories so much and what it’s like to be a neurodiverse performer

About our Speaker:

Lindsey is a neurodivergent performance storyteller based in Perthshire and co author of Perthshire Folk Tales. She tells stories of the land, it’s history and it’s environment.

https://www.facebook.com/linds...

https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/authors/lindsey-gibb


Book

14th

Post Diagnosis Group Thursdays 6:00-7:30pm Week 4

SWAN Spaces
online - 14 Aug, 18:00 - 19:30
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Week 4 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course

This group runs for six weeks on Thursdays from 6:00-7:30pm via ZOOM

Booking will open on 23rd June 4:30pm through our Eventbrite

Dates for this course are:

Thursday July 24th 6:00-7:30pm

Thursday July 31st 6:00-7:30pm

Thursday August 7th 6:00-7:30pm

Thursday August 14th 6:00-7:30pm

Thursday August 21st 6:00-7:30pm

Thursday August 28th 6:00-7:30pm

For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org

15th

Post Diagnosis Group Fridays 12:00-1:30pm Week 5

SWAN Spaces
Online - 15 Aug, 12:00 - 13:30
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Week 5 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course

This group runs for six weeks on Fridays 12:00-13:30pm via ZOOM

Booking will open on 23rd June 4:30pm through our Eventbrite

Dates for this course are:

Friday July 18th 12:00-13:30pm

Friday July 18th 12:00-13:30pm

Friday July 25th 12:00-13:30pm

Friday August 1st 12:00-13:30pm

Friday August 8th 12:00-13:30pm

Friday August 15th 12:00-13:30pm

Friday August 22nd 12:00-13:30pm

For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org

17th

Social Meet Up Group Online

SWAN Spaces
Online - 17 Aug, 15:00 - 16:00
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21st

Post Diagnosis Group - Thursdays 6:00-7:30pm Week 5

SWAN Spaces
online - 21 Aug, 18:00 - 19:30
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Week 5 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course

This group runs for six weeks on Thursdays from 6:00-7:30pm via ZOOM

Booking will open on 23rd June 4:30pm through our Eventbrite

Dates for this course are:

Thursday July 24th 6:00-7:30pm

Thursday July 31st 6:00-7:30pm

Thursday August 7th 6:00-7:30pm

Thursday August 14th 6:00-7:30pm

Thursday August 21st 6:00-7:30pm

Thursday August 28th 6:00-7:30pm

For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org

21st

Autistic Parents' Space

SWAN Spaces
Online - 21 Aug, 19:00 - 20:00
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22nd

Post Diagnosis Group Fridays 12:00-1:30pm Week 6

SWAN Spaces
Online - 22 Aug, 12:00 - 13:30
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Week 6 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course

This group runs for six weeks on Fridays 12:00-13:30pm via ZOOM

Booking will open on 23rd June 4:30pm through our Eventbrite

Dates for this course are:

Friday July 18th 12:00-13:30pm

Friday July 18th 12:00-13:30pm

Friday July 25th 12:00-13:30pm

Friday August 1st 12:00-13:30pm

Friday August 8th 12:00-13:30pm

Friday August 15th 12:00-13:30pm

Friday August 22nd 12:00-13:30pm

For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org

25th

Highlands and Islands Social Meet Up Group Online

SWAN Spaces
Online - 25 Aug, 18:00 - 19:00
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28th

Post Diagnosis Group - Thursdays 6:00-7:30pm Week 6

SWAN Spaces
online - 28 Aug, 18:00 - 19:30
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Week 6 of our 6 Week Post Diagnosis Course

This group runs for six weeks on Thursdays from 6:00-7:30pm via ZOOM

Booking will open on 23rd June 4:30pm through our Eventbrite

Dates for this course are:

Thursday July 24th 6:00-7:30pm

Thursday July 31st 6:00-7:30pm

Thursday August 7th 6:00-7:30pm

Thursday August 14th 6:00-7:30pm

Thursday August 21st 6:00-7:30pm

Thursday August 28th 6:00-7:30pm

For more information on our post diagnosis course please watch our information video or contact info@swanscotland.org

September 2025
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9th

Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire Online Social Meet Up

SWAN Spaces
Online - 9 Sep, 18:00 - 19:00
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14th

Social Meet Up Group Online

SWAN Spaces
Online - 14 Sep, 15:00 - 16:00
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18th

Autistic Parents' Space

SWAN Spaces
Online - 18 Sep, 19:00 - 20:30
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29th

Highlands and Islands Social Meet Up Group Online

SWAN Spaces
Online - 29 Sep, 18:00 - 19:00
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