The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity
The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) was awarded £300,000 in February 2023 to deliver their Strengthening Families: Neurodiversity project, working with RN and RM families with neurodiverse children. Their goal is to develop a ‘community of experience’, highlighting the often-hidden needs and inconsistent support received by such families.
The organisation has worked with various partners to address fundamental issues such as reducing isolation, increasing awareness and improving knowledge. These partners include the Naval Families Federation, Cambridge University Autism Research Centre and Forces Additional Needs & Disability Forum.
They have set up the ‘Strengthening Support for Neurodiversity Advisory Group’ – a diverse selection of families who have adults or children with neurodiversity. This group is allowing them to ‘road test’ ideas and solutions.
RNRMC has also established a ‘Strengthening Support for Neurodiversity Alliance’ – a collaboration of both public and third sector organisations who are in conversations, collaborations and willing to co-produce. This collaborative approach means they are more easily able to develop informed pathways and strengthen current provision.
Mandy Harding, Head of Commissioned Grants at RNRMC said: “Families are continuing to contact us and have indicated they are ready to engage and take up offers of support. We are confident this project will enable greater understanding of the needs of families by the RN, facilitate informed compassion and better solutions. To the families, even small changes can have a huge impact and give them a voice.”
While the project is primarily aimed at naval families based in the UK, by using virtual resources and delivery, some elements of this work are available to families overseas too.
Funding has allowed for the creation of a Neurodiversity Navigator (NDN) role. Now up and running, the NDN Bobbie Branson (pictured) has carefully researched and built a directory of each support organisation – including contact details and what they offer. This is due to be released. Additionally, a resource booklet written by parents for parents is also in production.
With the military now actively recruiting from the neurodiverse community, the charity found that, in every family discovery session they ran there was a RN parent who had got or were getting a diagnosis themselves due to their child being diagnosed. The main issues families felt needed addressing included: a reduced sense of isolation and loneliness through peer-to-peer support; an accessible point of contact for naval families to get help and advice; a low awareness of charities and the range of support organisations available; and worry about parents own mental health and wellbeing and the impact of their stress and anxiety on their children.
So far, progress on the project has exceeded expectations. The RNRMC is working closely with the National Autistic Society, lining up opportunities for service agreements with the RAF and Army should they wish them, plus other benevolent funds.
They have also worked with the RAF Association and have agreed to arrange a tri-Service meeting.
Neurodiversity is a very topical issue, which the RNRMC sees time and time again in much of their work with families. In September 2023, they convened a meeting with all their Home-Start projects, discussing how many families they were seeing present with neurodiversity. In Scotland, one Home-Start reported this figure as 70% of their families.