Our UK-based Projects

WaitingWell

Funded by a £20,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, WaitingWell is the UK’s first holistic initiative designed specifically for individuals who are on a waiting list for an assessment, providing free evidence-based practical and emotional guidance during this challenging period.

With average NHS assessment waiting times for autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent conditions now extending for 2+ years in most areas across the country, many individuals experience frustration, distress, isolation, and a lack of support while awaiting a formal diagnosis. Waiting Well aims to bridge this critical gap for families and individuals who may identify as neurodivergent.

WaitingWell will equip families and individuals with practical tools, actionable advice and evidence-based strategies that can be implemented immediately without any additional financial burden.

Run by The Owl Centre Charity, WaitingWell provides a range of online resources, which address the common challenges faced by individuals with neurodiverse needs during the waiting period, as well as their families and loved ones.

The initiative has been developed in collaboration with neurodivergent individuals who are currently on an assessment waiting list, specialists from Northumbria University who are researching the impact of mental health of those on a waiting list, as well as healthcare professionals and advocacy groups.

The free resources include:

• Practical, evidence-based strategies from occupational therapists, specialist advisory teachers, to psychotherapists delivered through accessible videos to help individuals navigate daily challenges in education, work, and relationships.
• Wellbeing and mental health support to manage anxiety, overwhelm, and uncertainty during the waiting period and ahead of the assessment – with tips including how neurodivergent minds can sleep well, and how to support children specifically who are on an autism assessment waiting list.
• ⁠The Owl Centre’s Hoots Who podcast which explores heartfelt stories, insightful anecdotes, and practical tips from the neurodiversity team – offering tools to families and caregivers on how to better understand and advocate for their loved ones.

The concept for the initiative was originally born from the frustrations and distress expressed by over 7,000 individuals across a number of NHS Trusts, who are currently on a waiting list.

Find out more at www.waitingwell.co.uk

Power Over Pain

Power Over Pain is the UK’s first primary-care–based clinic designed to help people living with chronic pain move from dependency and distress toward understanding, confidence, and lasting self-management.

Delivered over six weekly group sessions by a multidisciplinary team, the programme integrates pain neuroscience, biopsychosocial medicine, psychology, physiology, philosophy, and physiotherapy into a carefully sequenced curriculum that combines scientific explanation, lived experience, and practical skills.

Now in its second year and ninth cohort, the clinic has supported around 200 patients, with outcomes including a 35% reduction in opioid use and a 50% improvement in confidence on the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire.

Find out more at www.poweroverpain.co.uk

Grandparenting Differently

Grandparenting Differently is a supportive six‑week programme designed to help grandparents better understand, connect with and support their neurodivergent grandchildren.

Grandparents are supported to explore common neurodivergent conditions such as autism and ADHD, including shared characteristics such as sensory differences, executive functioning challenges, emotional regulation, play and sleep.

The course creates space for reflection on each grandchild’s unique strengths, interests, communication style and sensory needs, recognising that no two neurodivergent children are the same.

Sessions are interactive, respectful and confidential, encouraging shared learning while allowing participants to contribute as much or as little as they wish.

The programme empowers grandparents to think differently, not about changing their grandchild, but about how environments, expectations and relationships can change to better support them.

Find out more at www.grandparentingdifferently.com