Manchester, United Kingdom
TIDA

The Together Plan

Making a Difference Through National Lottery Funding

Proudly supported by The National Lottery Community Fund.

The Together Plan, delivered by Together for Inclusion, Development and Action (TIDA), has made a meaningful difference to families of autistic children, particularly those from migrant, racialised and culturally diverse communities.

Thanks to National Lottery funding, we have been able to reach families, provide practical support, build partnerships and create opportunities for greater inclusion and understanding.

Our Impact

  • Reached over 300 families, providing support, guidance and opportunities to connect.
  • Delivered over 6 workshops, raising awareness, sharing knowledge and bringing communities together.
  • Worked with over 10 organisations, developing partnerships and strengthening community connections.
  • Provided practical support to families, including helping them access information, attend meetings, navigate services and apply for benefits and other essential support.

The Difference National Lottery Funding Makes

National Lottery funding has been instrumental in making this work possible. It has enabled TIDA, as a grassroots community organisation, to respond directly to the needs of families who often face barriers when accessing services and support.

Beyond funding activities, it has helped us build trust, amplify underrepresented voices, strengthen partnerships and support families to navigate systems that can otherwise be difficult to access.

The project has also contributed to wider systemic change by highlighting families’ experiences, strengthening community connections and helping to make services and support more responsive to their needs.

We are sincerely grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund and National Lottery players for investing in our community and making this work possible.

Together, we are building stronger, more inclusive communities where every family matters.

Family Stories and Voices

Real Experiences. Real Journeys. Real Change.

Behind every number is a person, a family and a story.

Through The Together Plan, we have walked alongside families as they sought information, accessed support, navigated services and advocated for their children.

Every family’s experience is different. We are proud of the families who have trusted us to support them and grateful to those who choose to share their experiences.

Their voices help build understanding, strengthen communities and highlight the changes needed to make services more inclusive.

A mother holding her young child during a TIDA support session

A Parent’s Journey: Finding Support and Understanding

A family was finding it difficult to navigate services and understand the support available for their autistic child. Through The Together Plan, TIDA provided guidance, helped the family access information and supported them to communicate with relevant services. The support helped the family feel better informed and more confident in seeking the assistance they needed.

A family and support workers talking together in a meeting room

Navigating Services: Making the Next Step

With support from TIDA, a family was able to better understand the steps involved in accessing a service, preparing for a meeting or exploring available support. Their experience demonstrates how practical guidance and information can help families feel more confident when navigating complex systems.

A community member standing beside a TIDA information banner

Finding Connection: Feeling Less Alone

For some families, connecting with TIDA and other parents has provided an opportunity to share experiences, find understanding and build relationships with people facing similar challenges. This story could highlight the importance of community connection, peer support and knowing that you are not alone.

Other Community Stories

We also welcome stories from people who have benefited from TIDA’s wider work, including women who have developed leadership skills, young people who have found opportunities to participate and community members whose voices have helped shape local action.

These stories reflect the different ways people contribute to and benefit from stronger, more inclusive communities.

Our approach to sharing stories

All stories, photographs and personal experiences will only be published with informed consent. Families and individuals will have the opportunity to review and approve their stories before publication. Anonymous stories and pseudonyms can be used where preferred.

For stories involving children, we will obtain appropriate parental or guardian permission and seek the child’s agreement in an age-appropriate way, with their best interests at the centre.