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The Art of Unmasking - Creative Art Sessions
In partnership with Birmingham Forward Carers, APUK successfully delivered a specialized creative program designed to support and empower Autistic parent carers. This initiative provided a much-needed neuro-affirming space for participants to explore their identities through a blend of art and community connection.
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Project Structure & Delivery
The program was delivered via Zoom to ensure accessibility, led by Alisha Friday, an experienced neurodivergent artist and facilitator. Over the course of six 90-minute sessions, a small cohort of up to 10 participants engaged in a structured journey of self-reflection.
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Key Focus Areas
The curriculum was carefully designed to track the "evolution of the self" through three distinct lenses:
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The Past: Reflecting on individual identity and life experiences prior to becoming a parent.
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The Present: Examining how Autism shapes their current parenting journey and daily lived experiences.
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The Future: Visualizing personal growth and who they hope to become as they move forward.
Impact & Outcomes
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Creative Processing: Participants used guided artistic exploration to communicate experiences that are often difficult to put into words.
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Reduced Isolation: By limiting group size, the project fostered deep, meaningful connections among parents who share the unique challenges and joys of neurodivergent parenting.
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Safe Space: The sessions provided a "low-masking" environment where Autistic identity was celebrated and understood, rather than explained.
Become a Part of the Community:
If you are an Autistic carer residing in Birmingham, the Birmingham Carers Hub offers a wide range of support services. Learn more about the benefits of joining and how to register.
Download this step-by-step guide on how to register with Birmingham Carers Hub as part of this project or watch the 4-min video below.
Visit the Birmingham Carers Hub website here.