Dr Susy Ridout, Lotus Collaborations – a vision where Autistic and Neurodivergent Victim-Survivors of Sexual Violence are believed and supported

Lotus Collaborations is a Community Interest Company, set up to address the needs of autistic survivors of sexual violence and sexual abuse.Its directors are Neurodivergent Survivors and allies with experience in accessing and providing specialist support and mentoring to victim-survivors of sexual violence."There's big gap in understanding among  service providers and the general public," says  director, Dr Susy Ridout, “and our needs very often don't get addressed. The autistic voice isn't heard at all, and our needs are very different to those of the predominant neurotype, the predominant public. We need to have services who do understand that."Susy covers:• The impacts on people if their communication preferences, sensory and other needs are not properly understood• How Lotus' team and beneficiaries are developing its services and resources to meet the requirements of individuals and services• How health practitioners are responding to or addressing survivors: poor and good practices• Practices which make people feel validated• The value of support from Sheffield Social Enterprise Network, Social Enterprise Exchange and the SEGA / SSEN peer mentoring and action learning programme• Securing contracts or funding• Engaging with your beneficiariesLotus Collaborations is currently recruiting volunteers:  https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/org/lotus-collaborations-uk-cic Also on this episode: new funding opportunities: The PPL Momentum Music Fund (grants of £5 to £15,000); Feasibility studies for Artificial Intelligence solutions (grants  between £25,000 and £50,000).This is episode 395 of the Business Live radio show, for curious entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs. Thanks for listening to the programme and to Sheffield Live! for broadcasting us on DAB and FM radio. Podcast image features: Lotus Collaborations' logo.