Supporting people, professionals, and organisations to move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and connection.

People shouldn't have to prove their worth, learn how to ask for help, navigate complex systems, or wait for services to catch up before they can access the support they need.

Why Advocacy Bridge Exists

 

Advocacy Bridge exists to build a community of people, organisations, professionals, funders, and lived-experience voices committed to ensuring vulnerable people are heard, seen, held, valued, and met where they are—with dignity, compassion, and respect.

Together, we work to remove barriers, amplify voices, protect rights, and create pathways to support, safety, and self-determination.

Too often, people are expected to prove their worth, learn how to ask for help, and navigate systems that were not designed with their needs in mind before they can access the support they need.

Advocacy Bridge exists to help bridge that gap.

We believe people shouldn’t have to face difficult situations alone, wait until they reach crisis point, or lose confidence in themselves before support becomes available.

Our aim is simple:

To help people access the right support, at the right level, at the right time.

By standing alongside people, strengthening communication, supporting informed decision-making, and helping people understand their options, we work to ensure individuals feel heard, seen, valued, and better able to move forward.

Our Approach

Advocacy Bridge provides structured, consent-led support that is collaborative, processing-aware, neurodivergent-informed, and focused on participation, communication, and accessibility.

We recognise that many systems rely on sustained organisation, communication, executive functioning, and processing capacity. During periods of stress, overwhelm, burnout, illness, disability, or increased life demands, these demands can become difficult to manage alone.

Our approach is informed by both professional experience and lived experience of neurodivergence and disability. We understand how overwhelming systems, decisions, communication, and day-to-day responsibilities can feel when things are unclear, unsupported, or moving too quickly.

Because of this, we work at a pace that is appropriate to the individual, providing structure, clarity, and practical support to help create calmer, more manageable pathways forward.

We aim to:

• Break complex situations into clear, manageable steps

• Present information in a structured and accessible way

• Repeat, clarify, or reframe information where helpful and without judgement

• Focus on realistic, achievable next steps that support progress without creating unnecessary overwhelm

• Use tools such as written notes, recordings, summaries, and structured follow-up to support continuity and understanding

• Help turn thoughts, concerns, and ideas into practical actions

• Support individuals to participate more effectively in decisions, conversations, and systems that affect their lives

    Following the initial enquiry, we may work with the individual and, where appropriate, those involved in their support, to build a fuller understanding of the situation, identify priorities and needs, and explore possible options moving forward.

    Funding & Payment Options

    Support may be funded through private self-funding arrangements, Direct Payments, Personal Budgets, local authority commissioning, or other agreed funding arrangements where appropriate.

    Funding arrangements and eligibility requirements vary depending on individual circumstances and are discussed as part of the enquiry and assessment process.

    Please note that submitting an enquiry does not guarantee that Advocacy Bridge will be able to provide ongoing support.

    Before any support can be offered, we may need to consider factors such as the nature of the request, whether it falls within our scope of service, current availability and capacity, funding arrangements, and whether Advocacy Bridge is likely to be the most appropriate service for the individual’s needs.

    Where we are unable to offer ongoing support, we will aim to provide information, signposting, or alternative options where appropriate.

    The Advocacy Bridge Journey

    Is Advocacy Bridge Right for You?

    Advocacy Bridge May Be Suited For

    Advocacy Bridge may be helpful for individuals who:

    • Need support understanding, navigating, or communicating with services and systems

    • Would benefit from additional structure, organisation, coordination, or follow-through

    • Feel overwhelmed by forms, paperwork, meetings, processes, or decision-making

    • Experience barriers relating to communication, processing, executive functioning, accessibility, disability, neurodivergence, mental health, or life circumstances

    • Need support preparing for, attending, or following up from meetings, assessments, reviews, or important conversations

    • Require advocacy, guidance, practical support, or assistance understanding available options

    • Would benefit from short-term support around a specific issue or longer-term support involving ongoing advocacy and coordination

    Advocacy Bridge May Not Be the Best Fit For

    Advocacy Bridge may not be the most appropriate service where:

    • The primary need is legal representation or specialist legal advice

    • Emergency, crisis, safeguarding, medical, or mental health intervention is required

    • The individual is seeking clinical, therapeutic, counselling, or healthcare services

    • The requested support falls outside our scope of service, expertise, or capacity

    • Another organisation, specialist service, statutory service, or professional is better placed to provide the required support

    Where Advocacy Bridge is unable to provide support, we will aim to explain why and, where appropriate, provide information about alternative services, organisations, or support pathways.

    What Happens After You Contact Us?

    Once we receive an enquiry or referral, we will review the information provided and make contact using the preferred communication method wherever possible.

    We may arrange a follow-up conversation to better understand the situation, current support in place, communication needs, and whether Advocacy Bridge is likely to be an appropriate fit.

    Some situations are straightforward, while others may require additional conversations, documents, or clarification before next steps can be identified.

    📨 We review your enquiry or referral.

    💬 We make contact using your preferred communication method.

    🔍 We gather any additional information needed.

    🧭 We explore possible options and next steps.

    🤝 Where appropriate, we discuss support arrangements.

    As Featured in Your Autism Magazine

    Michelle Shaw, Founder of Advocacy Bridge, was featured in the Spring edition of Your Autism magazine with her article “Navigating Burnout and Reduced Capacity.”

    Drawing on both professional and lived experience, Michelle explores how burnout, fluctuating capacity, and overwhelm can affect autistic adults, alongside practical strategies for navigating periods of reduced capacity with greater understanding and self-compassion.

    Key Topics Discussed

    • Burnout and reduced capacity

    • Executive functioning and processing demands

    • Communication, accessibility, and support needs

    • Self-compassion and realistic expectations

    • Sustainable approaches to everyday life

    Why Advocacy Bridge Was Created

    The experiences discussed in this article reflect many of the challenges faced by the individuals who contact Advocacy Bridge.

    Our work is built around helping people navigate systems, communicate effectively, access support, and move forward in ways that are realistic, manageable, and tailored to their circumstances.

    Access to Work Support & Preparation

    💼 Access to Work Support for Neurodivergent Adults

    Clarity • Preparation • Real-World Support

    Support before, during, and after Access to Work — helping you understand what you need, prepare for the process, and make support work in real life.

    This page offers Access to Work support for neurodivergent adults who are struggling to understand or navigate the process.

    When Work Becomes Difficult to Hold

    Access to Work can provide meaningful support — but the process can feel overwhelming, unclear, or difficult to navigate.

    Many people struggle not because they don’t qualify,
    but because they don’t yet have the clarity, structure, or language to explain what they need.

    This is where support begins.

    What Is Access to Work?

    Access to Work is a UK government scheme that can help fund support if a health condition or disability affects your ability to work.

    It may include:

    • specialist equipment or assistive technology
    • coaching or workplace support
    • a support worker for organisation or administration
    • travel support where needed
    • mental health or wellbeing support linked to work

    It is available to both employees and self-employed individuals.

    .

    Who This Support Is For

    This support is for autistic and neurodivergent adults who are:

    • in work but finding it difficult to sustain
    • self-employed and struggling to manage workload or structure
    • returning to work after burnout or time away
    • preparing to enter work for the first time

    You do not need to already have Access to Work funding in place.

    How Support Helps

    This is not just about completing an application.

    It’s about understanding what you need — and being able to communicate that in a way that works.

    Together we:

    • clarify the challenges you’re experiencing in work
    • identify the support that would actually help
    • prepare for applications and assessments
    • organise your thoughts, examples, and information
    • support communication with assessors or employers
    • translate recommendations into practical, workable support

    A Different Approach

    The focus is not just on securing funding —
    but on making sure the support works in your day-to-day life.

    Support is:

    • paced and adapted to you
    • structured and practical
    • focused on reducing overwhelm
    • grounded in psychological safety

    When You Might Need Support

    You may benefit if:

    • you’re unsure where to start
    • you don’t know how to explain what you need
    • the process feels overwhelming or unclear
    • you’ve applied before and things didn’t work out
    • you’ve received support but it isn’t working in practice

    When Support Hasn’t Worked Before

    For some people, the difficulty isn’t just the process —
    it’s what’s happened along the way.

    You may have:

    • struggled to find the right support or been passed between services
    • felt misunderstood, dismissed, or not listened to
    • found the process overwhelming, confusing, or inaccessible
    • had previous experiences that made it harder to ask for help again

    If that’s been your experience, you’re not alone.

    This work is designed to move at your pace —
    creating space to think clearly, rebuild trust in the process,
    and find a way forward that feels manageable and safe.

    How It Works

    Support can begin at any stage:

    • before applying
    • during the application or assessment process
    • after funding has been awarded

    There is no requirement to have everything figured out before starting.

    The Next Step

    If work feels difficult to manage right now, you don’t have to figure this out alone.

    Start a stabilisation conversation
    A calm, no-pressure way to make sense of what’s going on and explore what support could look like.

    👉 Start a conversation

    Prefer to message instead?
    You can share as much or as little as you like. You’ll receive a clear, grounded response with next steps.

    👉 Send a message

    ❓ Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Access to Work?

    Access to Work is a UK government scheme that can provide funding to support people whose health condition or disability affects how they work.

    This can include practical support, equipment, coaching, or adjustments to help make work more manageable.

    Who is Access to Work for?

    Access to Work is available to people aged 16+ who:

    • have a physical or mental health condition or disability
    • are in work, self-employed, or preparing to start or return to work
    • need support beyond what an employer is required to provide

    This includes many neurodivergent individuals, including those with autism or ADHD.

    Do I need a formal diagnosis to apply?

    No.

    You do not need a formal diagnosis to apply for Access to Work.
    What matters is how your condition affects your ability to work.

    What kind of support can Access to Work provide?

    Support can vary depending on your situation, but may include:

    • equipment or assistive technology
    • coaching or workplace support
    • a support worker
    • help with travel
    • mental health support related to work

    Do I need to already have a job?

    You usually need to be:

    • in work
    • self-employed
    • or about to start a job

    Support can also be explored if you are preparing to return to work.

    Can I get support if I’m self-employed?

    Yes.

    Access to Work is available for self-employed individuals, including business owners and freelancers.

    What if I don’t know what support I need?

    That’s very common.

    You don’t need to have everything figured out before applying.
    Part of the process involves identifying what would help — and this is something I can support you with.

    What happens during an Access to Work assessment?

    An assessor will talk with you about:

    • your role
    • what you find difficult
    • what might help

    They may then recommend a support package based on your needs.

    What if I’ve had a bad experience with support before?

    You’re not alone.

    Many people come to this work after feeling misunderstood, overwhelmed, or unsupported by previous services.

    Support here is paced, structured, and focused on helping you feel clear and confident — without pressure.

    When can I get support from you?

    Support can begin at any stage:

    • before applying
    • during the process
    • after an assessment
    • or once funding has been awarded

    Do you complete the application for me?

    No — but I work alongside you.

    The aim is to help you understand, prepare, and communicate your needs clearly, so the process feels more manageable and the outcome works in real life.

    How do I get started?

    You can start with a conversation.

    There’s no pressure — just a chance to make sense of your situation and explore what support might help.

    👉 Start a conversation

    If the challenge is wider than work → explore Sorted + Supported