We are delighted to share that Sunbeams has been awarded funding from The Boshier Grant Scheme to launch our new year-long group programme for girls with autism in mainstream schools across Hackney. The project will offer a safe, creative and culturally sensitive space for girls who often feel overlooked, misunderstood or isolated in busy school environments.

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Over the past year, girls with autism and their parents have told us repeatedly about the challenges they face: loneliness, social overwhelm, struggles with friendships and limited understanding of their needs in school settings. Many families shared that they did not know where to turn for support and hoped for a programme that could help their daughters feel more confident, connected and understood.

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Thanks to this funding, Sunbeams will deliver a weekly arts-based mentoring group for 24 girls with autism aged 11–16, led by trained facilitators and supported through clinical supervision. Sessions will focus on emotional expression, sensory-friendly creativity, building safe peer connections and understanding each girl’s own needs. Families will also be supported through termly one-to-one parent sessions, ensuring home, school and Sunbeams can work together around each young person.

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One parent who contributed to the planning process said,
“My daughter is bright and sensitive, but school is exhausting for her. Knowing she will have a space that understands her, not tries to ‘fix’ her, feels like a lifeline.”

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A pupil who fed into the design shared,
“It’s the first time someone asked what we need. I want a place where I don’t have to pretend to be okay. Somewhere calm where people get me.”

This project will help  girls with autism grow in confidence, build meaningful friendships and learn to advocate for their own needs. We are deeply grateful to The Boshier Grant Scheme for supporting this work and helping us create a community where  girls with autism feel seen, supported and celebrated for who they are

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