Autism & Neurodiversity North Scotland (A-ND) has received recognition for its volunteering commitments receiving a prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024.
The award is the highest award that a voluntary group can receive in the UK and the equivalent to an MBE and reflects A-ND's growth over the last two years into becoming one of Scotland’s leading autism and neurodiversity support charities. The award recognises the exceptional work undertaken by A-ND's network of volunteers over the last 12 months.
In this period, thanks to external support from volunteers, A-ND has grown its support network of children and young people its expert and caring team supports. A-ND provides direct and ongoing services to 284 autistic and neurodiverse individuals and their families via its Aberdeen Playscheme facilities, Outreach support in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and the Highlands, and additional support groups.
A-ND joins a prestigious list of King’s Award for Voluntary Service recipients from Aberdeenshire, with only 12 winners' native to the area since its inception in 2002.
Across 2023 and 2024, several volunteering efforts have helped secure this award for A-ND. This includes volunteers from local Aberdeen organisations, including Global E&C (recently rebranded to nexos), Serica Energy, Aker and Apache – all of which contributed to the refurbishment of A-ND's Playscheme facilities in Aberdeen. Supporting its expansion into the Highlands, Inverness-based Envoy Group dedicated resources and funding to the development of a brand-new neurodiverse specific Playscheme in Dingwall set to open in the coming months.
Additionally, through a strategic voluntary partnership with Aberdeen-based PR and marketing agency ThinkPR, the charity achieved a long-standing dream of hosting a flagship fundraising dinner. Organised and managed by ThinkPR, the Think Different Dinner raised over £126,000 across two events in 2023 and 2024 with the dinner set to return for a third time in May 2025.
Subsequent volunteering projects recognised by this award include Stagecoach's critical involvement with the development and coordination of A-ND's Binky the Sensory Bus initiative. Donated by Stagecoach in 2021 with ongoing maintenance, storage and logistical support, the double-decker sensory bus brings a unique and specialised mobile sensory environment to locations throughout Scotland. Also, thanks to volunteering efforts and support from Tulloch Recruitment, A-ND has organised several neurodiverse-inclusive shows alongside families at the P&J Live in Aberdeen.
A-ND's CEO Billy Alexander commented: “Receiving The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the latest milestone in A-ND's history where we have consistently reached new heights. Throughout this time, we – the A-ND team and our unbelievable network of supporters – have demonstrated our willingness and commitment to making a life-changing impact on the communities we serve. This award is in recognition of our wonderful team, both internal and external volunteers, and the passion, love, and care they display to support A-ND.
Although recent accolades and accomplishments such as this are a welcome commemoration of our work, we are determined to use them for the good of our children, young people, and families. By emphasising the work that still needs to be done throughout Scotland and the path ahead of us, we hope to use recognition from The Kings Award to highlight that ongoing support is vital to change the lives of autistic and neurodiverse individuals. By continuing to grow our reach, with the support of our volunteers, we can ensure that everyone has access to the support they need.”
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