Superhero Stories

Outcome

20 Autistic young people will take part, and will report improved peer relationships, enjoyment, relaxation. Success will be measured through attendance numbers as well as self reported feedback forms measuring against KPIs including wellbeing, relationship with peers, confidence, and enjoyment. 48 weekly workshops will provide regular fun social activities and 2 celebratory events will build relationships and celebrate success.

Results

The Superhero Stories project successfully provided disabled children and young people with numerous opportunities to have fun, develop friendships, and engage in activities they enjoyed. Through regular workshops and special events like the end-of-project trip to the Riverside Museum, participants had a platform to explore their creativity, interact with peers, and enjoy shared experiences.

Survey responses from participants and their guardians highlighted the positive impact of the project on their social experiences and overall enjoyment. Participants expressed satisfaction with the workshops, indicating that they had fun, made friends, and felt happier and more confident as a result of their involvement. These sentiments were echoed by caregivers, who noted improvements in their children's social interactions and happiness.

The structured yet flexible nature of the workshops allowed participants to explore various artistic mediums, collaborate on projects, and share their creative endeavours with others. This collaborative environment fostered the development of friendships and a sense of camaraderie among attendees, contributing to their overall enjoyment and social development.

Additionally, initiatives like the end-of-project trip provided unique opportunities for participants to bond outside of the workshop setting, further enhancing their social experiences and sense of belonging within the community.
Overall, the Superhero Stories project successfully fulfilled the objective of providing disabled children and young people with more opportunities to have fun, develop friendships, and engage in activities they enjoyed, thereby achieving the specified outcome.

Case study

Before participating in the Superhero Stories project, ‘A’, a 10-year-old boy with autism, struggled with social interactions and felt isolated due to his condition. His parents noticed that ‘A’ had difficulty making friends and often felt left out during social events. They were concerned about his well-being and wanted him to have opportunities to develop friendships and enjoy social activities like other children his age.

‘A’ began attending the Superhero Stories project, where he engaged in weekly workshops and special events designed to foster creativity and social interaction among autistic young people. Through structured yet flexible activities, he had the chance to explore various artistic mediums, collaborate on projects, and share his creative ideas with others.

After 12 months of participation in the project, ‘A’ experienced a significant positive change in his social well-being and overall happiness. He formed meaningful friendships with other participants, sharing a sense of camaraderie and belonging within the group. ‘A’s parents noticed a remarkable improvement in his confidence and self-esteem. They observed him eagerly counting down the days until each workshop, excited to reunite with his newfound friends.
Through the Superhero Stories project, ‘A’ found his "tribe" – a supportive community of peers who understood and accepted him for who he was. The project provided a safe and nurturing environment for him to express himself creatively and build lasting friendships. ‘A’s carers were thrilled to see their son thriving and gaining confidence in social settings. They attributed this positive change to the opportunities provided by the project for him to have fun, develop friendships, and engage in activities he enjoyed.

‘A's mother expressed gratitude for the transformative impact of the Superhero Stories project on her son's life. She noted, "My son absolutely loves attending Superhero Stories. He has definitely found his tribe through attending this project, and it has increased his self-confidence dramatically." They were delighted to see ‘A's improved social interactions and happiness, recognizing the invaluable support and opportunities provided by the project.

Outcome

30 carers will have 2 hours free time each week and will report improved wellbeing, care/life balance and feelings of independence.

Parents and Caregivers will be asked to report on the difference the project has made to their free time in terms of what they are able to do now that they were not before and how this affects their wellbeing. We will collect feedback through online surveys as well as recording informal feedback via email and conversation.

Results

The Superhero Stories project not only aimed to benefit the disabled children and young people participating but also sought to support their caregivers, ensuring they had opportunities to enjoy a life beyond their caring responsibilities. This outcome was achieved through several means.

By providing a structured and reliable schedule of workshops, the project offered caregivers consistent periods of respite. During these sessions, caregivers could dedicate time to themselves, pursue personal interests, or attend to other responsibilities without the immediate demands of caregiving.

The project organised special events like the trip to the Riverside Museum, which served as an opportunity for caregivers to enjoy leisure time while their children engaged in supervised activities. This outing provided caregivers with a break from their usual routines and allowed them to participate in activities they might not have had the chance to enjoy otherwise.

Through the support and resources provided by the project, caregivers reported improvements in their overall wellbeing. They felt better equipped to manage their caring roles, experienced reduced stress levels, and had more confidence in their ability to balance caregiving responsibilities with personal needs and interests.

The project fostered a sense of community among caregivers, providing a platform for them to connect with one another, share experiences, and offer mutual support. This sense of belonging and solidarity contributed to caregivers' sense of fulfilment and reduced isolation, enhancing their overall quality of life.

Overall, by offering respite, promoting wellbeing, and fostering community connections, the Superhero Stories project successfully provided caregivers of disabled children and young people with more opportunities to enjoy a life outside of their caring role.

Case study

Before participating in the Superhero Stories project, ‘E’ felt overwhelmed by the demands of caring for her son, ‘J’, who has autism. E struggled to find time for herself and often felt isolated due to her caregiving responsibilities. She longed for opportunities to enjoy a life outside of her caring role but found it challenging to balance her son's needs with her own.

E and J joined the Superhero Stories project, where J engaged in weekly workshops while E had dedicated time for herself. During these sessions, E used the opportunity to spend quality time with her other child, relax, run errands, and even indulge in leisure activities like going for walks and shopping.

After 12 months of participation in the project, E experienced a significant improvement in her overall well-being and quality of life. She felt better supported to sustain her caring role and reported a marked improvement in her care/life balance. E expressed gratitude for the regular, reliable respite provided by the project, which allowed her to recharge and attend to her own needs.

Through the Superhero Stories project, E reported a gained a sense of independence and confidence in managing her caregiving responsibilities. She appreciated the community connections fostered by the project, which provided her with access to a support network of fellow caregivers facing similar challenges. E's relationship with J also improved, as she had more focused time to spend with him outside of the demanding caregiving context.

Reflecting on her experience, E shared, "I enjoy my time while he's there, allowing me the headspace to do things I need to do or have been unable to complete. My boy is in the routine of going and reminds me Friday nights or Saturday mornings he's got his art class." E's feedback echoed sentiments shared by other caregivers who benefited from the Superhero Stories project, highlighting its positive impact on their well-being, care/life balance, and confidence in sustaining their caring roles.

The Superhero Stories project successfully provided caregivers like E with more opportunities to enjoy a life outside of their caring role. By offering regular respite, promoting well-being, and fostering community connections, the project empowered caregivers to prioritise self-care and achieve a healthier balance between their caregiving responsibilities and personal needs.

Outcome

30 carers will have improved relationships with their children through improved communication and expression skills developed in the workshops, having new and different things to talk about as a result of the workshops, helping to make it easier and supporting their caring role.

Carers will feel more confident to rely on local support from the positive experience of leaving young people in a safe, nurturing environment through which they both gain more independence.

Carers will be more aware of what services are available to them locally.

Surveys will be carried out at the end of the project to collect feedback on the carers' improved confidence, awareness of local services, and capacity to successfully sustain their caring role as a result of the project.

Results

The Superhero Stories project was designed not only to provide activities and support for disabled children and young people but also to ensure that their caregivers felt adequately supported in sustaining their caring role. Here's how the project achieved this outcome.

The project offered regular workshops where caregivers could entrust their children to the care of experienced tutors and staff, providing them with valuable respite from their caregiving duties. This respite allowed caregivers to recharge, focus on self-care, or attend to other responsibilities, ultimately reducing burnout and supporting their ability to sustain their caring role over the long term.

The project provided caregivers with access to educational resources, workshops, and opportunities to learn about their children's interests and needs, as well as strategies for providing effective support. By empowering caregivers with knowledge and skills, the project enhanced their confidence in their caregiving abilities and equipped them to navigate the challenges associated with caring for disabled children and young people.

Through the project's workshops and events, caregivers had the opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges. This sense of community and peer support provided caregivers with emotional validation, practical advice, and a network of individuals who understood and could empathise with their experiences. Such connections are invaluable in fostering resilience and reducing feelings of isolation among caregivers, ultimately supporting their ability to sustain their caring role.

The project actively solicited feedback from caregivers, ensuring that their voices were heard and their needs were taken into account in program planning and delivery. By maintaining open lines of communication, the project team could address any concerns or challenges faced by caregivers promptly, thereby providing them with the support they needed to continue their caring role effectively.

Overall, by offering respite, empowerment, community support, and effective communication channels, the Superhero Stories project successfully contributed to caregivers feeling better supported in sustaining their caring role for disabled children and young people.

Case study

Before participating in the Superhero Stories project, B, a mother of a child with autism, felt overwhelmed and isolated in her caring role. She struggled to find time for herself and often felt guilty when attempting to focus on her own needs. B's son, F, had difficulties in new environments and typically required parental support, making it challenging for B to leave him in the care of others.

B and F joined the Superhero Stories project, where F engaged in creative workshops while B had valuable respite time. Initially hesitant to leave F in a new environment, B gradually gained confidence in the project's experienced staff and tutors. With the reassurance that F was happy and well-cared for, B began to prioritise her own well-being and self-care during the workshop sessions.

After several months of participation in the project, B experienced a significant improvement in her ability to sustain her caring role. She felt better supported and more empowered to prioritise her own needs without feeling guilty. B's well-being improved as she had regular, reliable respite time to recharge and focus on activities that brought her joy and fulfilment.

Through the Superhero Stories project, B gained a newfound sense of confidence in her ability to balance her caring responsibilities with her own needs. She appreciated the respite provided by the project, allowing her to maintain a healthier care/life balance. B also benefited from connecting with other caregivers facing similar challenges, finding emotional validation, practical advice, and a supportive community.

Reflecting on her experience, B shared, "My child feels really happy going to superheroes so I don’t feel guilty doing other things while he is there." She also expressed, "I’ve never been able to leave my son at a class before, he’s always needed parental support in different environments but he goes into the art studio happily and encourages me to leave him in the care of his tutors." B's feedback highlighted the positive impact of the project in providing her with the support and reassurance needed to sustain her caring role effectively.

The Superhero Stories project successfully supported caregivers like B in sustaining their caring role for disabled children and young people. By offering respite, empowerment, community support, and effective communication channels, the project enabled caregivers to prioritise their own well-being and achieve a healthier balance between their caregiving responsibilities and personal needs.

Outcome

20 Autistic young people will have improved wellbeing through engagement in positive activities and developing peer relationships. Young people will have increased self-confidence, and improved creative, communication and social skills.

30 Carers will have improved wellbeing through improved care/respite balance and reduced stress from seeing their children flourish and gain independence. They will feel happier, less tired, anxious, and stressed.

20 Autistic Young People and 30 Carers will have improved wellbeing through building relationships outwith the caring role - peer relationships through workshop engagement for young people, and more time for carers to socialise, connect with friends, spend time with others during respite time provided by workshops.

Success will be measured through self reported data gathered through Informal questionnaires and visual scales such as the blob tree, body map and GIRFEC wellbeing Wheel , as well as substantiated with anecdotal observations and feedback from staff observations and informal conversation throughout the project. There will be an open and receptive environment for participants and carers to provide ongoing feedback to the tutors throughout the project, which will be recorded and relayed to the project manager alongside the tutors own assessment of participants perceived wellbeing.

Results

The Superhero Stories project aimed to enhance the wellbeing of both disabled children and young people (aged 20 and under) and their caregivers. Here's how the project contributed to this outcome:

The project provided disabled children and young people with regular opportunities to participate in activities they enjoyed, such as art workshops focused on comic book creation. Engaging in enjoyable activities is known to have positive effects on mental health and overall wellbeing, providing participants with a sense of fulfilment, accomplishment, and joy.

Through the project's workshops and events, disabled children and young people had the chance to develop friendships and social connections with peers who shared similar experiences. These social interactions fostered a sense of belonging, reduced feelings of isolation, and promoted emotional wellbeing by providing participants with a supportive network of friends.

By offering respite opportunities for caregivers, the project indirectly contributed to their improved wellbeing. Caregivers were able to take breaks from their caregiving responsibilities, allowing them time to rest, recharge, and engage in activities that promoted their own mental and emotional health. This respite time was essential in preventing caregiver burnout and supporting their overall wellbeing.

Through participation in the workshops, disabled children and young people had the opportunity to develop new skills, such as artistic techniques and storytelling abilities. Building skills and gaining competence in a particular area can boost self-esteem and confidence, leading to improved overall wellbeing for participants.

The project celebrated participants' achievements and contributions, such as showcasing their artwork or storytelling creations. This recognition of their efforts and talents instilled a sense of pride and accomplishment among disabled children and young people, further enhancing their sense of wellbeing and self-worth.

The project fostered a sense of community and support among both participants and caregivers. Knowing that they were part of a supportive network where their needs were understood and valued contributed to a sense of security and wellbeing for both disabled children and young people and their caregivers.

Overall, by providing opportunities for engagement, social connection, skill development, recognition, and community support, the Superhero Stories project played a significant role in improving the wellbeing of disabled children and young people as well as their caregivers.

Case study

Before participating in the Superhero Stories project, the C family faced numerous challenges. Their son, H, who has autism, often struggled to find activities where he felt accepted and understood. This led to feelings of isolation and frustration for H and exhaustion for his parents, who found it challenging to balance caregiving responsibilities with their own well-being.

The C family joined the Superhero Stories project, where H had the opportunity to engage in art workshops tailored to his interests and abilities. Carers appreciated the respite provided by the project, allowing them time to recharge and focus on their own well-being. The supportive environment of the project enabled H to express himself freely without fear of judgement, fostering a sense of acceptance and belonging.

After several months of participation in the project, the C family experienced a significant improvement in their overall well-being. H gained confidence and self-esteem through engaging in positive activities and building relationships with peers who understood him. H’s parents felt supported in their caring role, with reduced stress and improved care/life balance. The project provided the C family with a sense of community and belonging, enhancing their emotional well-being.

Through the Superhero Stories project, H found a space where he could be himself without feeling the need to mask his autism. This acceptance and understanding had a profound impact on his happiness and self-confidence. Carers appreciated the opportunity to connect with other caregivers facing similar challenges, finding solace and support in the shared experiences of the project's community.

Reflecting on their experience, Carer 1 shared, "It’s great to be able to take him somewhere that allows him to be as 'autistic' as he needs without having to mask and knowing that he is accepted just as he is." Carer 2 added, "All of the above, and I think this resource is brilliant, only a couple of hours for parents but it means millions to parents and of course the children who then build rapport with their peers and others." Their feedback highlighted the positive impact of the project on their well-being and the well-being of their son.

The Superhero Stories project successfully improved the well-being of the C family. By providing opportunities for engagement, social connection, skill development, recognition, and community support, the project played a significant role in enhancing their overall quality of life. The Cs found acceptance, support, and joy through their participation in the project, resulting in positive changes for the entire family.