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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.


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
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7th

Borders Meet-Up

SWAN Places
7 Oct, 14:00 - 15:00
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7th

Stirling Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
7 Oct, 17:30
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7th

West Lothian Meet-Up

SWAN Places
7 Oct, 17:30 - 19:00
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8th

Ayr Meet-Up

SWAN Places
8 Oct, 18:00 - 19:00
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8th

Glasgow Queen's Park Meet-Up

SWAN Places
8 Oct, 18:30 - 20:00
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12th

NEW DATE : Edinburgh Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
12 Oct, 10:30
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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

Book

12th

Edinburgh Meet-Up

SWAN Places
12 Oct, 14:00 - 16:00
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16th

Glasgow West End Meet-Up

SWAN Places
16 Oct, 13:30 - 15:00
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20th

Falkirk Meet-Up

SWAN Places
20 Oct, 16:30 - 18:00
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21st

Glasgow Bridgeton Meet-up

SWAN Places
21 Oct, 13:30 - 15:00
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21st

Stirling Meet-Up

SWAN Places
21 Oct, 17:00 - 18:30
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23rd

Glasgow Queen's Park Wellbeing Walk

SWAN Places
23 Oct, 18:00 - 19:00
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27th

Dumfries & Galloway Meet-Up

SWAN Places
27 Oct, 10:30 - 12:00
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27th

East Lothian Meet-Up

SWAN Places
27 Oct, 18:00 - 19:30
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30th

Sheltand Meet-Up

SWAN Places
30 Oct, 18:00 - 20:00
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31st

Dundee Meet-Up

SWAN Places
31 Oct, 15:00 - 17:00
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November 2025
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1st

Aberdeen Meet-Up

SWAN Places
1 Nov, 11:30 - 13:00
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4th

Borders Meet-Up

SWAN Places
4 Nov, 14:00 - 15:00
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4th

West Lothian Meet-Up

SWAN Places
4 Nov, 17:30 - 19:00
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5th

Stonehaven Meet-Up

SWAN Places
5 Nov, 19:45 - 20:45
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6th

Fife Meet-Up

SWAN Places
6 Nov, 17:00 - 18:30
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9th

Edinburgh Meet-Up

SWAN Places
9 Nov, 14:00 - 16:00
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12th

Ayr Meet-Up

SWAN Places
12 Nov, 18:00 - 19:00
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12th

Glasgow Queen's Park Meet-Up

SWAN Places
12 Nov, 18:30 - 20:00
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17th

Falkirk Meet-Up

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

Glasgow Bridgeton Meet-Up

SWAN Places
18 Nov, 13:30 - 15:00
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18th

Stirling Meet-Up

SWAN Places
18 Nov, 17:00 - 18:30
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20th

Glasgow West End Meet-Up

SWAN Places
20 Nov, 13:30 - 15:00
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24th

Dumfries & Galloway Meet-Up

SWAN Places
24 Nov, 10:30 - 12:00
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24th

East Lothian Meet-Up

SWAN Places
24 Nov, 18:00 - 19:30
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27th

Shetland Meet-Up

SWAN Places
27 Nov, 18:00 - 20:00
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28th

Dundee Meet-Up

SWAN Places
28 Nov, 15:00 - 17:00
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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 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
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6th

Crafting Social

SWAN Spaces
Online - 6 Oct, 19:00 - 20:00
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8th

Post Diagnosis Group Wednesdays 11:00-12:30pm Week 2

SWAN Spaces
Online - 8 Oct, 11:00 - 12:30
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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


9th

Queer Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 9 Oct, 18:00 - 19:00
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9th

Post Diagnosis Group Thursdays 6:30-8:00pm Week 2

SWAN Spaces
Online - 9 Oct, 18:30 - 20:00
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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

14th

Tuesday Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 14 Oct, 18:00
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15th

Post Diagnosis Group Wednesdays 11:00-12:30pm Week 3

SWAN Spaces
Online - 15 Oct, 11:00 - 12:30
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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

16th

Post Diagnosis Group Thursdays 6:30-8:00pm Week 3

SWAN Spaces
Online - 16 Oct, 18:30 - 20:00
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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

16th

Autistic Parents & Carers Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 16 Oct, 19:00 - 20:30
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19th

Sunday Peer Support Oct

SWAN Spaces
Online - 19 Oct, 15:00 - 16:00
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22nd

Post Diagnosis Group Wednesdays 11:00-12:30pm Week 4

SWAN Spaces
Online - 22 Oct, 11:00 - 12:30
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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

22nd

Webinar - An Autistic Perspective on Anxiety, OCD and Wellbeing With Dean Beadle

SWAN Spaces
Online - 22 Oct, 18:30 - 20:00
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Join Dean Beadle for a personal insight into anxiety and OCD, and an exploration of the cornerstones of autistic wellbeing.

Book through Eventbrite.

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

Book

23rd

Post Diagnosis Group Thursdays 6:30-8:00pm Week 4

SWAN Spaces
Online - 23 Oct, 18:30 - 20:00
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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

27th

Highlands and Islands Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 27 Oct, 18:00 - 19:00
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27th

Students Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 27 Oct, 18:00
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29th

Post Diagnosis Group Wednesdays 11:00-12:30pm Week 5

SWAN Spaces
Online - 29 Oct, 11:00 - 12:30
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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

30th

Post Diagnosis Group Thursdays 6:30-8:00pm Week 5

SWAN Spaces
Online - 30 Oct, 18:30 - 20:00
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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
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3rd

Crafting Social

SWAN Spaces
Online - 3 Nov, 19:00 - 20:00
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5th

Post Diagnosis Group Wednesdays 11:00-12:30pm Week 6

SWAN Spaces
Online - 5 Nov, 11:00 - 12:30
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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

6th

Post Diagnosis Group Thursdays 6:30-8:00pm Week 6

SWAN Spaces
Online - 6 Nov, 18:30 - 20:00
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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

11th

Tuesday Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 11 Nov, 18:00 - 19:00
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13th

Queer Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 13 Nov, 18:00 - 19:00
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16th

Sunday Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 16 Nov, 15:00 - 16:00
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20th

Webinar - Creative Grief Practices With Yarrow Magdalena

SWAN Spaces
Online - 20 Nov, 18:00 - 19:30
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Join Yarrow Magdalena to explore simple, creative projects and rituals to support engaging with grief in a meaningful way.

Book through Eventbrite.

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

Book

20th

Autistic Parents & Carers Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 20 Nov, 19:00 - 20:30
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24th

Highlands and Islands Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 24 Nov, 18:00 - 19:00
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24th

Students Peer Support

SWAN Spaces
Online - 24 Nov, 18:00 - 19:00
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